By implementing the project, the following objectives were achieved: - surgical knowledge, experience, and practical skills at the level of PG students/early-career surgeons and academics specialised in surgery was exchanged, - surgical skills of PG students/early-career surgeons from the field of surgery were enhanced via participation in international internships where they were able to observe and assist with specialised surgical procedures under the mentorship of world-renown experienced surgeons, - expertise of European surgeons was increased, - early international collaborations within the target groups were supported by providing extended networking opportunities and activities to PG students and more senior surgeons (i.e. academics); the target groups had multiple opportunities to share and exchange their knowledge and experience not only within the bounds of their surgical specialisation, - inspiration and support for setting up surgical cadaveric courses at other institution’s anatomical department (UNIZG) was provided. This fruitful collaboration now offers further opportunities for training of surgeons in a long run.
Surgery is one of the fields of medicine where professionals are heavily relying on dexterity and practical application of specialised skill sets. With each opportunity to practice surgical skills, the students as well as practicing surgeons gain confidence and experience; more so if they have opportunities to practice outside of the operating rooms on simulators and cadaveric material prior to practicing the procedures on their patients. The project provided international opportunities for practical, hands-on training in surgical skills for postgraduate (PG) students (equivalent to early-career surgeons) and senior academics in the field of surgery. Through collaboration between Masaryk University CZ(MU), Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore IT(UCSC),The Poznan University of Medical Sciences PL(PUMS), and the University of Zagreb HR(UNIZG), the project enabled access to advanced training in surgical procedures, utilising simulators and cadavers. It fostered the exchange of knowledge on the latest trends in surgical techniques among surgeons of various experience levels. The project was instrumental for UNIZG anatomists who observed the set up and running of cadaveric courses and developed a plan to organise such courses at UNIZG.