How does work on an emergency ambulance work?

Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) attaches great importance to practical orientation in all degree programmes; it is constantly expanding its repertoire of practical courses so that theoretical knowledge can be put directly into practice. There is now a new opportunity for medical students in collaboration with the Schwerte fire brigade, the Marienkrankenhaus Schwerte hospital and David Ammon, chief emergency physician of the district of Unna: from now on, the prospective doctors can accompany rescue operations on the emergency ambulance every Saturday.

Different professional fields in practice: offer is part of the LOCALHERO project

The 50 students travelling on the NEF are part of the LOCALHERO project, which aims to combat the shortage of doctors in rural areas during their studies. In addition to an internship in a rural doctor's surgery, they are now also familiarising themselves with the work of an emergency doctor and experiencing first-hand the cooperation with the fire brigade's rescue service.

Dr Lucas Bisplinghoff from the Institute of General Medicine at the UW/H is in charge of the project and is delighted with the new opportunity: "In this way, our students gain important experience in the medical field at an early stage. As they also work practically right from the start of their studies, they are sufficiently trained in medical history taking and physical examinations and prepared for these assignments."

The project is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Health until the end of the year.