European Medical Students‘ Association

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Table of Contents

4 Credits

5 Presidents‘ message

6 Mission and Vision

10 History

11 Structure

12 Medical Education

8 Our Board

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Medical Ethics 14

Medical Science 16

European Integration 18

The Network 20

Meetings 22

Publications 24

Joined Projects 26

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©2010European Medical Students’ Associationc/o CPME Standing Committee of European DoctorsRue Guimard 15,1040 BrusselsBelgium

concept and layoutPaul-Henry MackeprangIngmar Rinas

editorsTin KnezevicAnna DobekSietke PostemaChristoph PhilipsenburgTim W. RattaySüleyman YildizSebastian SchmidtBorislav ManevSofia RibeiroElif KelesIza Ene

Tamara DerbyshireAnna PotzyLuis MachadoPaul-Henry MackeprangIngmar Rinas

Picture Credit1 iodrakon / Istockphoto.com2 Gerard79 / Stock.xchng2 Rachel Gilmore / Stock.xchng2 Tin Knezevic2 Robert Michie / Stock.xchng2, 5, 8, 14, 26 Tim W. Rattay2, 10 Melanie Kuipers / Stock.xchng2, 3, 11, 22 Thorsten Hornung2, 12 McIninch / Istockphoto.com3 EMSA Imperial College London3, 4, 20 Michal Wronowski3, 16 Juan Santiago / Stock.xchng3, 18 Sheffield No Borders3, 24 WenRoo / Istockphoto.com6 Julia Freeman-Woolpert / Stock.xchng8 Maike Scharp9 credit of the portraied persons

EMSA

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Message from the president

Dear Madams and Sirs,

Welcome to EMSA, the European Medical Students’ Association.

We are a volunteer-based organization advocating and representing the voice of medical

students of geographical Europe. But we are more than an organization; we are a team joined

by enthusiasm, the passion for our work and the enduring will to be a part of positive change.

Through a wide variety of projects we aim to raise the quality of medical education and to

empower students in the field of medical science.

Furthermore, we focus on medical ethics and address the need to raise public awareness of

the social, political and cultural issues that occur in the process of improving the European

healthcare system.

Finally, we are a platform of European integration and foster student exchange, free-flow of

information and the transfer of best practices. While facing the oncoming challenges of the 21st

century, we recognize the importance of standing together, and addressing those challenges

with a clear vision, boldness and a creative way of finding solutions. After all, activation,

innovation and the determination of our mind is what truly furthers positive change and

constant improvement.

In the following pages you can learn more about our team, our ideals and our projects. You

can also visit our website at www.emsa-europe.eu or contact the european board at emsa-eb@

googlegroups.com. We hope that you will soon become a part of our network...

Help us guide EMSA towards new horizons.

On behalf of the European Medical Students‘ Association,

Tin Knezevic

president 2010 / 2011

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Standing united in the Spirit of EMSA we aim to:

Form a network between European medical students to facilitate European integration and

develop a sense of European identity

To represent and voice the opinions of the medical students of Europe

To act as a forum for all medical students in Europe, to discuss topics related to the fields of

medical education, medical ethics, and medical research

To promote the highest standards in European medical education and ensure the quality of

healthcare in Europe

To promote training, activities and projects related to health in Europe to the benefit of medical

students and society

To facilitate intercultural understanding by organizing social and cultural events

To cooperate with other student organizations and with organizations representing the medical

profession

The Spark

The idea to create a European organization gathering the medical students of Europe was born

20 years ago, at a students‘ symposium at the Catholic University of Leuven.

One could say that the fall of the „Iron Curtain“, the emotions that were sparked by the fall of

the Berlin Wall and the sense of a uniting Europe inspired the founders of EMSA to create a

student organization of strong regional character.

Today, after two decades of experience and development, EMSA remains proud of its European

identity and its role as a platform for European integration.

The Mission

Mission and Vision

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The Challenge

Being an international students’ organization is an ever-growing challenge.

On one the hand, as Europe unites, new projects and cooperation potentials are created on a daily

basis. Such a rapid development combined with the challenge of international communication

is an exciting adventure. But on the other hand, in such an environment one must ensure the

long-term stability of any organization.

Torn between the need to maintain sustainability and the wish to allow creativity, we have

decided to embrace modern-day creative thinking. Our strategy, much like those of professional

organizations, is based on the development of high values and human potentials. After all, this

is the essence and foundations of our profession.

The Aim

We aim to create a flexible and organic system capable of sustaining our international structure

as well as nurturing innovative ideas and autonomous development.

It is our goal to implement solutions that highly value personal input, local autonomy and

regional characteristics, but also facilitate international cooperation, multidisciplinary dialogue

and cultural understanding.

The Inspiration

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., once said “A man‘s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never

regains its original dimensions”.

In the 20 years of its existence EMSA has inspired, nurtured and stretched eager young minds

in Europe. Our predecessors have created a unique organization and we are inspired by their

work! We hope that we will have the courage and the integrity to fill their shoes and one day

inspire new generations to achieve more than we now can dream of ...

The Vision

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The EMSA European board 2010 - 2011

F Süleyman Yildiz Medical Education Director H Borislav Manev Medical Science Director J Luis Machado Permanent Officer at the CPME L Tamara Derbyshire Fundraising Officer N Iza Ene Human Resources Officer P Ingmar Rinas Public Relations Officer

A Tin Knezevic President

B Sietke Postema Vice-President of Internal Affairs

C Christoph Philipsenburg Vice-President of External Affairs

D Anna Dobek Secretary General

E Tim W. Rattay Treasurer

E

DC

BA

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K J

L M N

I

F

G Sebastian Schmidt Medical Ethics Director I Sofia Ribeiro European Integration Director K Anna Potzy Students‘ Organisations Liaison Officer M Semih Kucukcankurtaran Formal Organisations Liaison Officer O Elif Keles European Medical Organisations Liaison Officer

PO

HG

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1990 Leuven, Belgium

A group of enthusiasts gets together at a symposium for

medical students sparking the idea of creating a regional

association of medical students.

1991 Brussels, Belgium

Under the auspice of the Belgium Crown, the first

General Assembly of the European Medical Students

Association is held and a new era begins…

1991 – 2009 All over Europe

With ups and downs, twists and turns, EMSA evolves,

expands and works hand in hand with NGOs in

different fields.

2009 Heidelberg, Germany

EMSA turns 18! On the threshold of its adulthood,

EMSA is now a strong regional organization working

with student and professional organizations alike!

2010 Athens, Greece

And the dream lives on...

History

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GA

General Assembly. The highest decision making body of EMSA, meets

once a year to vote on the most important decisions, to elect the Board

and to give guidance for the upcoming period.

EEB

EMSA European Board. The executive body of the organization.

Manages all internal EMSA affairs, serves as a bridge between EMSA

and our partners, supports EMSA projects and initiatives.

FMO

EMSA´s true core. Faculty Member Organizations are local committees

that all medicinal students can join at their university. This is the source

of the main part of EMSA activities.

WG

The youngest body of our organization. The EMSA Work Group was

officially created at the Heidelberg GA. Its members are project

coordinators, EEB assistants and true EMSA enthusiasts. It serves as a

platform for project management, cooperation development and

creative support.

Structure

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Medical Education

>> The Medical Education Pillar seeks to improve the quality of medical education by joining both students and organizations with shared interests and responsibilities according to the topic of medical education. <<

Süleyman Yildiz, EMSA Medical Education Director 2010 - 2011

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In 1979 the rock band Pink Floyd claimed: “We don’t need no education.”, criticizing the

educational system in Great Britain. We as EMSA Medical Education enthusiasts are inspired

by Pink Floyd’s effort to review on the education of medical students in Europe and encourage

everyone to brainstorm with us on medical education in order to improve quality. By joining

both students and organizations with shared interests and responsibilities according to the

topics we work on progressing the medical education in Europe. Medical education has several

subtitles. We believe that one of them will suit perfectly for you.

BOLOGNA PROCESS

The Bologna Process Workshop is an annual workshop where medical students from all over

Europe discussing the implementation of the Bologna Process in medical education. Together

they voice the position of European medical students advising the European authorities and

medical faculties.

HEALTHY ERASMUS PROJECT

We as medical students and members of EMSA family want to provide a healthier ERASMUS

project for our adventurous traveler friends. We touch on subjects like:

Drug- and alcohol abuse, food/diet, healthy life style, health care system, insurance information,

emergencies, medication, sex and many more.

EMSA SUMMERSCHOOL

Medical summer school is one of the subjects making us really enthusiastic. Think about an

event offering you the possibility to improve your medical and language competences at the

same time as well as you can meet your colleagues from allover Europe.

TEDDY BEAR HOSPITAL FOR CHİLDREN’ S HEROES

We’ve all been children, in our little innocent worlds we had fears. Some of us were afraid from

darkness others from thunders. Another group was afraid from the “white coated people”. In

the Teddy Bear Hospital Project our goal is to help children overcome their white coat anxiety.

So, we have given you some information about Medical Education projects. Are you excited?

Get involved and join our yahoo group and our mailing list.

>> The Medical Education Pillar seeks to improve the quality of medical education by joining both students and organizations with shared interests and responsibilities according to the topic of medical education. <<

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Medical Ethics and Public Health

>> I would like to invite you to the exciting fields of Medical Ethics and Public Health. We are facing great challenges and countless opportunities shaping our future and making the world a healthier place for everybody. <<

Sebastian Schmidt, EMSA Medical Ethics and Public Health Director 2010 - 2011

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>> I would like to invite you to the exciting fields of Medical Ethics and Public Health. We are facing great challenges and countless opportunities shaping our future and making the world a healthier place for everybody. <<

MEDICAL ETHICS: FUNDAMENT PRINCIPLES

As a doctor you have to make ethical decisions on a daily basis. You might have to deal with

very sick people who beg you to end their lives and thereby their suffering. Or you are asked

to include your patients in clinical drug research programmes by allocating them randomly

into groups with and without treatment. Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish right from

wrong, but fortunately moral competences can be trained. We aim to provide you with many

opportunities for discussing and debating that will enable you to form your own opinion on

certain issues in a reflective manner.

PUBLIC HEALTH: EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS

There are some diseases you have to face as a doctor again and again. You treat obese patients

having diabetes, tobacco addicts that got a lung cancer or people with a chronic pancreatitis that

used to drink a lot of alcohol. Public health focuses on preventing those widespread diseases by

education, empowerment and health promotion on every possible level. We create a framework

of specific projects for you to get active and to work on those issues that interest you the most

while having the chance to collaborate with link-minded people across Europe.

MEDICAL ETHICS MEETS PUBLIC HEALTH: HEALTH FOR ALL

Since the globalization is inevitable on its way, the need for making sustainable decisions is

increasing every day. The world is a complex, interdependent system and therefore new

challenges require us to be creative, innovative and keen on experimenting while not losing the

focus on the patient as an individual. We want to make sure that ethical thinking is brought back

into discussions on global health in which cost-effectiveness has been declared as the main goal.

We want to raise awareness of essential medicines, the impacts of social determinants and the

effects of climate change on health. And we want to encourage you to meet these challenges so

that together we can reach our common vision: health for all.

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Medical Science

>> Search for the old questions with new medical technology; unlock the processes of disease and the mechanisms of possible cure. Medicine is the biological science and art of healing! <<

Borislav Manev, EMSA Medical Science Director 2010 - 2011

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Medical Science encompasses many fundamental principles which are at the core of every

medical students training. It aims to provide a platform for communication between medical

science Researchers. As a result the encouraging integration of many student bodies raises

the quality regarding to the scientific issue, increasing knowledge base and improving the

motivation in students to succeed in respective fields of Medical Science.

Some of the Medical Science Projects:

NETWORK OF EUROPEAN MEDICAL STUDENTS’ CONFERENCES (NEMSC)

NEMSC is a collaboration of the three leading European scientific student conferences ESC,

ISCOMS and EMSA. NEMSC today aims to facilitate interfaculty exchange of high-potential

medical and biomedical students. The winner of the NEMSC award will feature in JEMSA as an

acknowledgement for the significance of this award to students across Europe and to increase

participation in the following years.

JOURNAL OF EMSA ON MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC AFFAIRS (JEMSA)

This scientific student journal is a chance for medical students to publish their scientific work.

The editorial board consisting of senior members from different medical fields and student

members critically review the articles submitted, in order to maintain the journals high

standards.

SCIENTIFIC PANCAKES

A project with the central aim to encourage updating students scientific knowledge in specialist

fields. The comprehensive ‘Research Database’ detailing all available research opportunities will

be core in allocating medical students from across Europe to their project of interest. Students

will then be invited to read background articles and create summaries of these which will be

collaborated into a ‚scientific pancake‘ bulletin providing concise versions of the latest scientific

developments relating to specialist fields.

RESEARCH DATABASE

Select your specialty –anything from stem cell research to forensic medicine- your country

and your level of experience to find the perfect placement for you! Exchanges of medical

students from across the globe integrate educational knowledge, social interaction and cultural

experience in a unique adventure within a different society and healthcare systems.

>> Search for the old questions with new medical technology; unlock the processes of disease and the mechanisms of possible cure. Medicine is the biological science and art of healing! <<

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>> Wouldn’t it be great to be able to experience how medical students live a few hundred miles away? To improve general health not only in your own city or country but all over Europe? <<

Sofia Ribeiro, EMSA European Integration Director 2010 - 2011

European Integration

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Wouldn’t it be great to have a good working interaction between medical students within Europe?

We do! - and therefore that is what we are working on:

To bring medical students closer together, to educate or inform people about important

knowledge and skills in life and to improve public health through different manners.

To have a look at a students’ life somewhere else, gives students the opportunity to experience

another environment with a different culture and different habits. The opportunity to have a

look at a students’ life somewhere else, to experience another environment with a different

culture and different habits, enables them to learn from it, or see the good aspects others have

in their curriculum and may think of integrating these aspects within their own university.

They can experience another culture, other traditions and another social life as well. This helps

them to develop themselves not only on educational level, but also on a social one.

Two groups of students live together during a weeks in a co-city and one week in their own

with the chance to experience each other’s lives. Every person has a comrade from the other

city, his or her twin. They stay at their place and have the honor to be their host in return. The

entire group goes on interesting excursions and gets the chance to enrich their life.

Always wanted a life without tobacco? Informing local people about the carbon monoxide

level in their blood along with, giving them some tips on how to quit smoking, is something

our students can do as well. Through the EU campaign „HELP! – For a life without tobacco“,

our members are developing statements and attending international meetings to think further

and enact the ideas that have been developed. In numerous ways, we try to prevent smoking

or help people to quit.

As you can see, EMSA has developed, and is continuingly improving the branch

European Integration, to cross more borders!

> The Twinning Project exchange program of two weeks, with a group of 20-30 students

> Help! - The European Commission tobacco control campaign

targeting smoking prevention, cessation and passive smoking

> Erasmus Medicus: help in study exchange

> Healthy Erasmus: staying healthy during a longer period abroad

>> Wouldn’t it be great to be able to experience how medical students live a few hundred miles away? To improve general health not only in your own city or country but all over Europe? <<

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>> Our partner organisations broaden our horizons and offer the opportunity to exchange ideas and concepts. Overall we share the passion for creating a brighter future for Europe s students. <<

Anna Potzy, EMSA Student Organisations Liaison Officer 2010 - 2011

The Network

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„What are the pharmacological mechanims of the

medicine I will be about to subscribe? Will one

preparation interact with another? How does modern

Medical Informatics work? How is our psyche

influenced by diseases and how does the psyche

influence our health? How well is health care covered

in rural areas? What happen if I am charged with

malpractice? Which laws apply?“.

Those and many similar questions cross the mind of a

medical student today. Unfortunately, he is probably

not able to answer them conveniently. Would it

not be great to see if we could have friends studying

for instance Pharmacy or Laws, who may help us

facing these handicaps? For the same reason EMSA

as an organisation has allied with a multitude of

other established student organisations from various

specialties. They widen EMSA‘s horizon and offer a

platform for discussion, the creation of new ideas and

finally for improvement.

Examples of the joined projects with EMSA‘s partner

student organisations are described on the following

pages. >> Our partner organisations broaden our horizons and offer the opportunity to exchange ideas and concepts. Overall we share the passion for creating a brighter future for Europe s students. <<

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>> Joining an EMSA-event is not only the best way to experience what EMSA stands for, it is also a great forum for our members, enthusiasts, partners and sponsors to get together and share ideas. <<

Christoph Philipsenburg, EMSA Vice President of External Affairs 2010 - 2011

Meetings

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EMSA facilitates 3 important meetings every year:

The General Assembly (GA)

defined as a body and an event it is the highest decision making body in EMSA. Held annually in a

different FMO it is attended by both Local Coordinators and EMSA enthusiasts. The GA hosts

• election of members of the European Board

• modifications of the present statutes and/or Internal Rules of the association

• approval of the budget and accounts of the members and associate members

Furthermore, the European Medical Students’ Congress takes place. Being a thematic meeting

within the GA, health matters of our days are discussed, brainstormed upon and then a resolution

is formed from the common opinion of the Medical Students of Europe.

Besides the official parts of the meeting, there is also a diverse social program organised by the

hosting FMO to experience their country, culture, and student lifestyle.

The National Coordinator’s and Enthusiast’s Meeting (NCM)

usually takes place in early spring. During the meeting workshops are held to update the participants

on European issues, the pillar projects and latest actions. In addition, the participants are also

offered qualified trainings to improve their skills and, when back at the home faculty, transfer their

knowledge and skills to the students at their home faculty or initiate a new project

The European Medical Students’ Council (EMS Council)

is a policy making body under the auspices of EMSA, working towards the common goals of medical

students throughout the European Union and geographical Europe. This project has, as the voice of

the medical students of Europe, produced several valuable policy paper in the past years. Some of

which have been published in international papers and accepted by other organisations.

All the meetings organised by EMSA are a great opportunity for invited guests of several organizations

to present their view on some crucial aspects of medical education, ethics, science, integration or

health. These meetings give sponsors the opportunity as well to present their products or their

company to medical students of Europe. It is great to be heard by Europe.

>> Joining an EMSA-event is not only the best way to experience what EMSA stands for, it is also a great forum for our members, enthusiasts, partners and sponsors to get together and share ideas. <<

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Publications

>> EMSA’s publications help to maintain strong relationships between members and create a platform where everyone can share their experiences and ideas. <<

Anna Dobek, EMSA Secretary General 2010 - 2011

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During the year EMSA publishes several magazines:

These magazines contain interesting articles, made by European medical students for European

medical students.

Examples of the magazines EMSA publishes:

Euromeds

is the official newsletter of EMSA. It is EMSA’s connection with the students on local level,

with associate organizations and other externals. It supplies members with information about

important updates on international level, but at the same time gives EMSA members the chance

to promote local events, write about current projects or ideas of new projects. Euromeds helps

to maintain strong relationships between members and creates a platform where everyone can

share their experiences and ideas.

European Words

is an easily accessible magazine where students all over Europe can write about their daily live

as a medical student. By doing this they introduce readers to what life is like in their European

city. European words aims to promote intercultural dialogue, understanding and European

integration.

The Journal of EMSA on Medical and Scientific Affairs (JEMSA)

is a unique scientific publication and the official EMSA Journal. It enables young medical

students and health professionals to publish their work and research. JEMSA is distributed to

every European medical school, free of charge, in order to spread information and opportunities

to all corners of Europe. All articles in JEMSA are reviewed by a board of professionals and

students, and serious feedback is provided to the authors of the articles. See Medical Science

for details.

All these EMSA magazines are spread and read all over Europe by medical students, and thus a

great opportunity for sponsors to promote themselves.

>> EMSA’s publications help to maintain strong relationships between members and create a platform where everyone can share their experiences and ideas. <<

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Joined Projects

>> Whether they last one moment, one day or one week, there are things in our lives that have changed us and that we shall remember for all times. The Teddy Bear Hospital is one of such events. <<

Tin Knezevic, EMSA President 2010 - 2011

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Teddy Bear Hospital TBH

For many children, going to the doctor is a nightmare. In order to overcome this fear, innovative

medical students developed the Teddy Bear Hospital, a hospital simulation where the patients

are teddy bears and children are kindly invited to be their doctors.

Although this all might seem highly fictional the message to take home is considerate very

serious as the main aim of this activity is to reduce the children‘s hospital fear by bringing them

together in a playful environment. As in a real hospital, all units are thoughtfully considerate,

and children accompanied by their sick puppets will take the traditional path that begins in the

waiting room , goes on through surgery, until recovery or even the pharmacist.

While allowing medical students and nurses to interact with children, practicing important

communication and psychological skills, Teddy Bear Hospital are also a facilitator in behavior

changes: Pedagogically explaining children what happens inside the white coat and leading

them to enjoy their doctor‘s visit leads to reduced anxiety in young patients‘ consultations.

European Words

In this joined online magazine of EMSA and IFMSA, students all over Europe can publish

articles about their study life apart from university and extracurricular projects. European

Words aims to promote intercultural dialogue, understanding and European integration.

World Healthcare Students‘ Symposium WHSS

The World Healthcare Students’ Symposium is a biannual educational meeting that is organized

by medical and pharmaceutical students’ organizations (EMSA, IFMSA, EPSA, IPSF) for up

to 400 students from different healthcare professions and healthcare students‘ organizations.

During this event, students benefit from each other’s expertise and develop ways to collaborate

more efficiently in the future. The aim of the high-quality lectures, interactive workshops,

teamwork simulations, skills trainings and poster presentations is to strengthen and highlight

the inter-professional cooperation with a special regard to public health and patient safety and,

consequently, to contribute to the quality of patient care.

>> Whether they last one moment, one day or one week, there are things in our lives that have changed us and that we shall remember for all times. The Teddy Bear Hospital is one of such events. <<

European Medical Students‘ Association

European Medical Students’ Associationc/o CPME Standing Committee of European DoctorsRue Guimard 15,1040 BrusselsBelgium

www.emsa-europe.eueeb@emsa-europe.eu