ESO-ESSO-ESTRO MULTIDISCIPLINARY COURSE IN ONCOLOGY FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS - PDF version

26 AUG -6 SEP 2019, TURIN, ITALY  

I am an Indian citizen, now studying at Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU) in Tbilisi, Georgia. I am working for a medical degree and I am in my ninth semester. 

I became interested in the oncology branch of study because it was easy for me to understand and I was interested in the oncology topics and the syllabus. So I decided to take up higher studies in oncology. My professor suggested this course. And I discovered that the European School of Oncology (ESO), the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO) and the European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) were well-known for their courses for both medical students and doctors. 

All the lectures were very informative regarding current advancements in this field. Since we were each required to present a project on a specific topic, we were able to gather deep knowledge of that particular subject, which was very useful. Practical sessions were extremely useful as doctors explained every case in detail and they taught us how to approach patients and manage their cases. 

I believe it improved my skills and knowledge. Also, I could understand the latest technology used and the best way to understand the diagnosis. I enjoyed the presentation part; it increased my confidence. 

For me the course went way beyond my expectations. I expected it would take the common form of courses and would inform us of the latest treatment and diagnosis methods in oncology, but the quality of the lectures was so high and the lecturers were able to grab our attention throughout the course. They brushed up our previous knowledge about the topic and improved it. Along with that, I could visit the best hospital in Italy to understand how hospital treatment and its processes worked. 

I was able particularly to gather deep knowledge in surgical oncology, target therapy and immunotherapy, not only through lectures but through practical sessions, which I found especially useful. We were shown how to approach a patient from a medical oncologist’s perspective and we were familiarised with medical equipment and technologies that have recently been introduced. 

As a medical student, I have learned and understood the importance of palliative care. As a future doctor, I would like to enhance the quality of palliative care and screening programmes in my hospital setting and create increased awareness of these among colleagues. 

I felt it was one of the best courses I could attend, so after returning to Georgia, I shared Instagram and Facebook posts that offered complete details of the course and the process to apply, so that interested juniors and classmates could find out how to attend this course. 

Niran Seby
Medical student
TSMU
Tbilisi, Georgia
Niranseby7@gmail.com