Medical technology evolves every year, and often young people entering the job market find themselves in situations where they have to spend a lot of time learning how to use the best equipment. For this reason, the practice of some companies, which can give them access to the latest medical technologies, how they are used and what their benefits are, is must have.

In order to get a job after graduation, graduates need both the academic knowledge gained in college and the practical skills. Professional practice plays a decisive role in the development of a future specialist. This helps to consolidate and update skills according to the requirements of the labor market.

The role of practice in medical education

The medical field is dynamic, rapidly developing. This inevitably requires that graduates, when they arrive in the field of work, have a solid academic background as well as practical experience. However, access to practical training is limited, which is an obstacle in the education of future medical specialists.

Let’s take an example: relative to the size of the population, Romania ranks second in the European Union in terms of the number of medical graduates. In this context, one idea is clear: practical experience is extremely valuable because it equips students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that they may encounter at work every day.

Initiatives that gave students the opportunity to practice

A reference initiative to reduce the gap between theory and practice is the partnership that was recently established between Philips Romania and the Faculty of Medical Engineering of Politehnica Bucharest. Launched in 2023, this collaboration aims to introduce students to key aspects of modern healthcare, including medical technology, digitization and the importance of continuous innovation.

“Our commitment is to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals not only with the knowledge, but also with the right tools and mindset to work flawlessly with the future equipment and innovative solutions that will become the norm, not the exception, in healthcare.” I’m in our country,” says Ionuc Ionescu, Head of Service Group Philips Romania.

This summer, ten third-year students had the opportunity to take part in an internship program organized by Philips and were able to put their theoretical knowledge into practice, thus improving their understanding of the healthcare industry.

“Thanks to this program, I saw what the work of a medical engineer really means, especially since in college we do not manage to develop the practical part enough, focusing more on the theoretical part. All the information gained over the years materialized, greatly contributing to the process of learning and understanding. All the activities we participated in also helped us to develop the communication, analysis and technical skills that are so necessary for an engineer,” explains Oleksandra Karavan, a student of the Faculty of Medical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, majoring in Medical Equipment. and systems.

“The workshops at the beginning of the internship period were very interactive and educational, showing us the different positions and responsibilities at Philips Romania, as well as their responsibilities. I had a unique experience, even a little out of my comfort zone, which pleasantly surprised me. I find these activities important because they helped me gain insight into the life of an engineer after college. This internship taught me many things that I would not have been able to experience or learn during my college studies without the help of Philips Romania,” says Cetincan Kokmez, a student at the Faculty of Medical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, majoring in Biomaterials and Medical Devices.

In addition, the “Engineer for a Day” project carried out by the Polytechnic University of Bucharest aims to foster relations between the academic environment and the local business environment. Launched in 2021, this project allows students to visit companies relevant to their field of study.

This year the project was also hosted by Philips. A bus with 30 medical students brought young enthusiasts to one of the company’s offices, who spent a dynamic day full of learning, theoretical and practical classes and constructive dialogue with the Philips team.

In summary, the integration of practical training into medical education, as exemplified by Philips Romania’s initiatives, is vital to the training of qualified health professionals. These programs not only bridge the gap between theory and practice, but also inspire innovation and a deeper understanding of the field of medicine. Looking to the future, such cooperation promises a brighter and more competent future of medical education in Romania.

Article supported by Philips