German medical students enjoy local placement through MSG

Sunday 08 October 2023

Two German students have completed short placements in the island’s medical system, having first learned of Guernsey through a placement website.

While Guernsey only had two reviews when they were both choosing where to go, they said the experiences were so positively reported that it was an easy decision.

Andreas Wirtz is a fifth-year student studying in Hamburg and spent four weeks working in urology and anaesthesiology, while Magdalena Rattunde, a fifth-year student studying in Berlin, had a two-week spell in gynaecology and obstetrics.

She attended c-sections, clinics, operating theatres and observed a hysterectomy, while Mr Wirtz worked in various clinics and assisted doctors in intensive care.

The work was facilitated by the Medical Specialist Group which has hosted 14 ‘elective’ students so far in 2023, allowing them to gain first-hand experience.

Both said the pace of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital was different to what they experienced before and praised staff for taking time to educate and inform them.

This willingness was a huge selling point of the island, they added.

Pictured: The pair worked in and around the PEH.

“In Berlin, they rely on medical students for certain things, like taking blood, but in Guernsey they don’t,” Ms Rattunde said.

“Doctors don’t depend on students for anything, so there is more variety in what we can get involved with on the wards. I’m used to everyone being stressed and overworked in hospitals at home, but there is more time for answering questions and teaching here, you don’t feel like you’re bothering anyone by asking questions.”

Mr Wirtz said in other hospitals there’sa sense of the issues with understaffing and underfunding, but that was not felt locally.

“Sometimes in hospitals you can ask a simple question and doctors can get a bit snappy because they are already so busy, but here they really take the time to support you. One thing that is great here is that you are given a schedule, so you know what your day is going to look like,” he said.

“At university hospitals you see special cases, patients with rare or unusual symptoms and diagnoses, but here it is more limited, as many patients with severe or complex care needs would be sent to Southampton… Here I get to deal with a lot of day-to-day care for more common issues, which is just as valuable as knowing how to manage the more challenging cases.

“It gives you hope that not all hospitals are under intense pressure. Everything seems to function well, which is a massive benefit.”

MSG Chair, Dr Steve Evans thanked the pair and said placements are always open to help teach the next generation of doctors and provide them with a unique experience in the island.

Pictured (top): Magdalena Rattunde (left) and Andreas Wirtz.