Report on 4 weeks in Paris
by Mehmet Fatih Özkan
visiting the Cerebrovascular Emergency Service of the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France, in August-September 2023.
I had the privilege of undertaking an EAN Student Teaser Fellowship at the Stroke Unit at Sorbonne University-Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, where I worked under the esteemed supervision of Profs. Rosso and Alamowitch. Over the course of four weeks, I had the opportunity to gain invaluable insights from this observership. In this report, I would like to highlight a few key topics that stood out during my time at the department.
During my summer observership at the neurology department, I had the opportunity to work closely with the department residents. Their guidance and support greatly facilitated my communication with patients. Although there was a language barrier between me and the patients, the residents were always available to translate and explain with details and also answer questions, provide insights, and help me navigate complex medical terminology. This collaborative environment fostered an atmosphere of open communication, allowing me to interact effectively with patients and gain valuable clinical experience.
One of the most remarkable aspects of my observership was the wide variety of patients I encountered. The stroke department catered to individuals with diverse neurological conditions, ranging from epilepsy and stroke. This exposure provided me with a comprehensive understanding of different pathologies and their corresponding diagnostic and treatment approaches. Moreover, witnessing the resilience and strength of these patients further solidified my passion for neurology.
Throughout my observership, I actively participated in cross-department meetings of neurology and interventional radiology, where healthcare professionals from various disciplines came together to discuss complex cases and share their expertise. These interdisciplinary interactions broadened my perspective on patient care and allowed me to witness the collaborative nature of modern medicine. By engaging in these meetings, I gained insights into the challenges faced by different specialties and learned how neurology intersects with other medical fields.
Moreover, I had the privilege of witnessing MRI procedures in action. The neurology department utilised MRI technology to obtain detailed images of the brain and spinal cord. These non-invasive scans provided invaluable insights into the structural and functional aspects of the nervous system. By observing the MRI process, and learning the phases of this imaging method, I gained a deeper understanding of how this diagnostic tool aids in the diagnosis and treatment planning for various neurological conditions. In addition to MRI, I also had the opportunity to observe ultrasound imaging techniques. During my observership, I witnessed neurologists employing ultrasound to mainly assess blood flow, detect abnormalities, and guide interventional procedures. This firsthand exposure to ultrasound technology broadened my knowledge of its applications within neurology and highlighted its role in delivering patient-centered care.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the European Academy of Neurology for providing me with this invaluable summer observership opportunity. The department’s commitment to patient care, dedication to teaching, and emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration have left a lasting impact on my professional growth. I am immensely grateful for the guidance and mentorship I received from the faculty, residents, and staff members. This experience has solidified my passion for neurology and inspired me to pursue further specialisation in this field.
Report on 4 weeks in Basel
by Dimitra Pavlopoulou
visiting the Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Basel, in August-September 2023
Beginning my EAN Student Teaser Fellowship, I spent the first two and a half weeks mainly in the Stroke Unit of the Department of Neurology, where Dr Mira Katan was my supervisor and I was also occasionally at the ER. My day began at 7:45am, arriving at the hospital and attending the morning Radiology Rapport, where we discussed the imaging of the new admissions in the clinic with the neuroradiologists. Later, in the morning visit, we evaluated the management of the patients and proceeded to examine them, do some paperwork and sometimes some light research to be prepared for the evening visit. During that period, I also was occupied in the Emergency Department of the hospital, where I had the valuable opportunity to see a variety of different neurological cases. The most important thing for me was that I was able to attend and participate for the first time in the management of patients with acute ischaemic or haemorrhagic strokes and follow up their whole stay at the hospital, which included their resuscitation, imaging, intravenous thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy (where possible) and finally admission to the Stroke Unit.
Afterwards, I spent the following week at the General Ward, where Prof. Dr Fischer and Dr Matthias Mehling supervised me. There, I had the chance to examine a lot of patients with common neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, polyneuritis cranialis and different types of Parkinson’s disease, but also to learn about rare diseases such as immune-mediated necrotising myopathy, CIDP etc. Subsequently, my team and I often discussed the differential diagnosis and therapeutic dilemmas. Furthermore, I learnt the basics of magnetoencephalography (EMG) and electroencephalography (EEG), watched a very detailed cognitive test being carried out by a neurophysiologist in a patient with cavernous sinus thrombosis and altered mental status, and gained valuable experience in lumbar punctures.
During my last week, in order to benefit from my fellowship to the fullest extent possible, I decided to visit the Polyclinic, where I mostly watched patients who came in for their follow-up exams, and I also did my first EDSS scoring in MS patients.
Each Wednesday afternoon, I would attend the NeuroNews sessions and later the lectures from professors from other universities (such as from University of Zurich) and I of course also attended case presentations on a daily basis. It was a stimulating experience and I’m grateful that I learnt from world-famous experts and connected with charismatic people from different countries.
Last but not least, I had a wonderful time working with all the medical staff of the hospital – the professors, the interns, the medical students, and the nurses – and I want to thank all of them and specifically Prof. Dr Fischer and Dr Katan, from the bottom of my heart for making me feel like a part of their team. I was welcomed very warmly and I’m genuinely happy to say that some of them have become my forever friends now and that I cannot wait to meet them all again in the near future!
Thank you, EAN, for giving me the opportunity to embark on this amazing academic journey and for making so many memories that I will cherish forever!
Visit the Student Teaser Fellowship website to find out more about this opportunity for medical students. Interested applicants can get information about eligibility, how to apply with useful tips and FAQ, and how to become a student member including additional benefits when joining the EAN.
The Student Teaser Fellowship is supervised and reviewed by the EAN Education Committee together with members of the Student Task Force.
