Dmitrij Kravchenko

My name is Dmitrij Kravchenko and I am a medical student from Germany.

I decided to join the department of neurosurgery at the Nara Medical University in Japan for a few weeks, after having read about the proficiency of Japanese physicians and the high-level of patient care there.  I was warmly received and welcomed into a friendly team with whom I observed a number of diverse surgeries including the whole spectrum of brain tumors, spinal procedures, pediatric neurosurgeries, emergency treatments, and a range of neuro-vascular interventions. I was impressed with the fact that every operating room was outfitted with the newest equipment which included a camera over the operating table and in the microsurgery microscope, making it possible for everyone to closely follow all the steps of the surgery on HD screens placed throughout the room while a physician was always available to explain the procedures. Between surgeries, I had the opportunity to join in on the ambulant patient care at the hospital, learn about the current research and present research facilities, and practice micro-suturing on plastic models under a microscope. Outside the hospital, my supervising physicians made sure I got to experience a part of Japanese cuisine and culture by taking time out of their day to show me around. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this stay possible and for the warm welcome I received upon my arrival there. It was a truly amazing experience I will never forget!