Semmelweis University introduced its curriculum reform in 2019 to enhance practice-oriented education. From this academic year on, it has been fine-tuned and taken to the next level with Curriculum 2.0. Our photo report portrays a day in the life of sixth-year medical student Botond Boldizsár Bényi, who spends his practical training at the Baross Street section of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Students in the fourth, fifth, and sixth years study in block teaching, meaning that they attend both lectures and clerkship rotations related to the same discipline and take an exam at the end of the module. Depending on the volume of the course material, the duration of a block can vary from 1 to 8 weeks, spent in the clinic of the specialty. The essence of block teaching is that students focus on a single discipline during this time, allowing them to acquire knowledge in a deeper and more practice-oriented way. Sixth-year students must take six comprehensive exams in gynecology, psychiatry, pediatrics, neurology, surgery, and internal medicine.
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Students spend the first four weeks of a five-week block in the clinic of the specialty in question, usually from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to gain an insight into the day-to-day operations of the wards. Examinations are taken in the last week.
Botond Boldizsár Bényi, sixth-year medical student, Head of the Faculty of Medicine division at the Students’ Union
In the hands-on modules, students are assigned a variety of tasks in advance, which brings them closer to patient care at the given clinic.
Botond Bényi believes that practical training not only helps students master the curriculum of the given discipline but also apply it.
“At the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, we start the morning with a briefing, where we are informed of the schedule and the assignments of the day. In addition to the training, we have the opportunity to assist in a C-section or a gynecological operation, and we can also attend an ultrasound session and perform some basic tests. We get to know the patient pathways, gain insight into the workings of the departments, and use the time here to practice patient assessment and drug administration.”
“We get to experience first-hand what a particular profession is like while having the opportunity to assess whether we can imagine ourselves in the given field and how well we fit into its professional and community environment. This experience will be of great help in choosing the right specialization after graduation.”
“Basically, this kind of practice works as if we were employed here, we can make up for any absences during the on-call time. This is important because the more time we spend here, the more prepared and competent we’ll become as doctors.”
“I aspire to be an obstetrician-gynecologist. It is a very emotional and rewarding profession, as physicians get to experience the miracle of a new life every day while helping to preserve and restore women’s health. In my eyes, it is the most beautiful and noble vocation.”
“In my experience, prospective Semmelweis students are afraid that due to the size of the university, there will be too many students in one internship. However, there are usually only two or three students assigned to a doctor.”
Blocked teaching starts in the fourth year. In addition, students who want to delve deeper into the science of medicine can conduct research. Botond Bényi started his Students’ Scientific Association (TDK) research project in the fourth year, which received first prize in the Rector’s Thesis competition.
Further research and PhD studies are encouraged by the university’s management. Students can start a parallel graduate and doctorate (MD-PhD) program in the last two years of their undergraduate studies with scholarship funding. Progress is reported at weekly group sessions.
Participation is then credited to the specialist training, optionally shortening its duration. Botond Bényi’s research topic is a comparative study of surgical options for the removal of deeply infiltrating endometriosis affecting the intestine.
“Regular physical activity and recreation are essential to maintain the physical and mental balance of students. Health professionals should lead by example, as regular exercise has a proven health-promoting effect.”
Eszter Keresztes
Translation: Judit Szabados-Dőtsch
Photos by Bálint Barta – Semmelweis University
