With the support of the Hanoon Foundation, Palestinian medical students gain invaluable clinical experience abroad. Omar, a finalist in the OxPal Surgical Skills Competition, completed a two-week placement in the Cardiothoracic Department at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

He gained hands-on experience in cardiac and thoracic surgery, including valve replacements, minimally invasive lung procedures, and chest tube insertion, while learning from consultants, perfusionists, and anesthetists. The competition itself was a key learning opportunity, where he practiced suturing, vascular anastomosis, and laparoscopic techniques.

“Participating in the surgical skills competition and my Oxford placement strengthened my surgical skills and inspired me to bring this knowledge back to my community.” — Omar

Check his full testimonial and photos below.

Testimonial

My experience as a finalist in the surgical skills competition run by OxPal was a great experience. I spent two weeks in the Cardiothoracic department at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. During these 2 weeks, I attended the first week in theatres, wards, and clinics of the cardiac department, which was a transformative experience for me in which I learnt new techniques about heart surgery, including: Mitral and Tricuspid valve replacement and Aortic valve replacement surgeries, where I had special teaching from subspecialised consultants in each area.

My learning experience was highly enhanced by the fact that each member of the team is specialised in a specific field, which I used for my own interest to gather knowledge from multiple sources rather than receiving it from one. I was like a magnet, attracting knowledge from every corner in the department. I spent time with perfusionists learning about the Heart-pump machine and how it works, and it never stopped amazing me! I also learnt from cardiothoracic anaesthetists about transesophageal echo, central line insertion technique, and resuscitation management of cardiac patients. Luckily enough, my first week ended with the chance to receive cardiothoracic surgical skills training along with FY1 & FY2 doctors. I learnt multiple surgical skills, including the step-by-step process of chest tube insertion.

Although my second week in the thoracic department followed a similar routine of theatres, wards, and clinics, this time it was focused on another major organ (the lungs). Moving from open heart surgeries to minimally invasive surgeries like VATS showed me the importance of modern medicine, especially in areas like Palestine. I have seen lobectomies, which involve removing a part of the lung through a small port and by minimally invasive procedures. I have also spent time in cardiothoracic wards and critical care units, evaluating patients before and after surgeries. The surgical skills competition final was a learning experience for me rather than being just a competition. I practised vascular anastomosis, suturing and clinical assessment skills, anatomy, and laparoscopic instrument techniques through the help of highly talented doctors.

Finally, I would like to thank OxPal for arranging this competition and Hanoon Foundation for their generous contribution that made this learning opportunity possible.

Omar

Read more about the international training placement programme here