A Course Held in Poland for Ukrainian Physicians: GMKA Member Among the Organizers

Solomiya Semeniv, a surgeon, and head of the GMKA training course, became one of the organizers of the course on providing aid for injuries sustained as a result of hostilities and terrorist attacks, which took place from December 9-10 in Krakow, Poland.

The training took place on the grounds of the University Hospital of Krakow and the Simulation Center of the Medical Faculty of the Jagiellonian University. 20 doctors from the Lviv Regional Center for Emergency Medical Aid and Disaster Medicine took part in it.

During the training, doctors from Ukraine learned how to provide aid for gunshot and shrapnel wounds, medical triage in mass cases, as well as mechanisms related to upper respiratory tract obstruction, impaired lung ventilation, and massive bleeds.

“Unfortunately, many of us have already had to apply our own knowledge in practice and render aid to victims of Russian shelling. However, learning from our Polish colleagues, who also have experience in providing medical assistance in the combat setting, is incredibly valuable for us,” shared one of the training participants.

Polish doctors conducted several sessions using modern simulators and phantoms, in particular, practicing methods of ensuring patency of “difficult airways”, examining a patient with polytrauma and utilizing the FAST ultrasound protocol.

Clinical simulations in the conditions of the emergency department and in the conditions of pre-hospital care took place in the simulation center of the Jagiellonian University, and familiarization with the principles of the trauma center of emergency medical care – in one of the departments of the University Hospital of Krakow.

“Taking into consideration that the participants of this event are doctors and rescuers with extensive experience, I would call it an exchange of experience and joint training, rather than simple training” said the main organizer of the course, emergency medical rescuer, Tomas Sanak.

The head of the GMKA educational direction, Dr. Semeniv, developed and implemented the course program together with other Polish doctors, simulation center instructors and medical rescuers who have experience in performing rescue operations in war zones, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The war in Ukraine has been going on since 2014, but on February 24, a full-scale Russian invasion took place, so Ukrainian doctors needed fast and high-quality training. Thus, in March, we held the first part of the course in Lviv, and now we invited the participants to Krakow to polish out the practical skills together using simulators,” said Dr. Semeniv.

The surgeon also noted that this event is her personal opportunity to make a small contribution to the future victory of Ukraine.

“I sincerely thank all Polish medical colleagues for the organization and incredible support of the Ukrainian medical community and society in general,” added Dr. Solomiya Semeniv.