Austrian Professor Harald Teufelsbauer: “Our Profession Allows Doing the Impossible”

In his interview, Prof. Harald Teufelsbauer (Professor of the Medical University of Vienna, Department of General and Vascular Surgery), who is an old friend and Honourary Professor of I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University spoke about his family, his favourite work and the possibilities of modern vascular surgery.

Professor Teufelsbauer is a well-known specialist in the field of vascular surgery, who uses the technique of open surgery with minimally invasive endovascular intervention for the treatment of aneurysms and vascular thrombosis.

He has a sincere look and balanced speech, a warm and friendly smile, you feel that every word of his has value, he knows what he is working for, his professionalism and experience save lives every day. We sincerely rejoice and appreciate our university friendship and thank Professor for his support during such a difficult time for us.

– Professor Harald, have you always dreamed of becoming a doctor and devoting your life to medicine?

– No, I haven’t. I don’t know if my answer will be original, but at school I said that I would never be a doctor or a teacher (laughing). But we do not know what life is preparing for us. I got into the hospital with a severe ear infection, stayed there for a week, observed the work of the doctors, their equipment and the ability to help patients. It was then that I developed interest in medicine, so I talked to my father and decided to try to find myself in this field.

– Tell us more about yourself, how did you start the implementation of the idea?

– I was born in Vienna, I graduated from high school with a humanistic orientation, and continued my education at the Medical University of Vienna. In 1989, I defended my thesis in the field of heart transplantation for the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1992, I began my surgical practice at the First Surgical University Clinic. I worked as a military doctor in the armed forces of Austria, and then in the surgical department of the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambarene, Gabon (Africa), within the framework of humanitarian aid. In 2001, I qualified as a vascular surgeon. The year 2003 was very important and productive for me, because then within one week I got married and was awarded the title of professor, I will never forget what I felt then (smiling).

– How does your working day usually go? What are the peculiarities of your work?

– The working day is very busy, we start at 7:30 – 8:00. Every day, our team receives many patients, so we must be ready for different situations. We discuss the action plan for the day, after that someone can operate, patients from emergency medical care can also be accepted, if there is an opportunity, we work on scientific works.

– How long have you been cooperating with our university?

– I married a wonderful woman Maryana Teufelsbauer (Dr.med.univ. Maryana Teufelsbauer, Department of Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery), a graduate of your university, who is trying with all her might to be useful for Ukraine, to maintain contact with Ternopil and her university. She was the initiator of cooperation between two educational medical institutions of Vienna and Ternopil universities. Thus, Ternopil has become a part of my life, we often come to visit it. We communicate with colleagues, share new knowledge, because medicine is such a field that does not allow you to stop, you need to constantly learn, develop, exchange experience.

– These days you are operating on wounded soldiers together with our surgeons at the Ternopil Regional Clinical Hospital, tell us about the patients and their medical history?

– My wife had to return to Austria, and I, on the other hand, had the opportunity to stay in Ternopil for a while. I was invited to join the rescue team treating military personnel who received injuries. I am very glad to be able to help, it is an interesting experience for me. We performed an operation on the a popliteal artery, at the level of the lower edge of the popliteal muscle, it was completely blocked, and if there is no blood supply, then this is a serious threat to the limb, and then amputation is possible. Today, our patient who underwent the most difficult operation has already been discharged, isn’t that wonderful?

– In your opinion, what improvements and changes does Ukrainian medicine still need?

– The last time I was in Ukraine was several years ago, since then I have seen significant positive changes – hospitals have updated their equipment, carried out reconstructions, created a new cardiac surgery centre and already performed the first heart transplant in the region. Of course, there is no limit to perfection and improvement of the work, but we understand that this requires funding. In Ternopil hospitals, qualified doctors who perform their work qualitatively strive to constantly improve their skills and knowledge.

– Can you recommend some internship programs for doctors abroad?

– There are a lot of internship opportunities abroad, both for students and for teachers, but often everything depends on how much we want something, how many applications we send to different universities, how many people we ask for help. The only thing is that during the COVID-19 pandaemic, we were partially limited in our travel and internship opportunities. I also know that now there are many opportunities for Ukrainian medical students, doctors and teachers to engage in practical research or undergo internships in many leading European, American and Asian educational and medical institutions, with the exception of men who are subject to mobilization.

– What is the most difficult and easiest thing in your profession?

– When you love your work, nothing is impossible for you. Of course, there is a component that I like less, for example, I really like to operate, but I really don’t like bureaucracy, it’s the most difficult for me (laughing). Everything you like usually comes easily, although that may not always be the case, and that’s a good thing, because when it gets difficult and you make an effort to solve a certain situation, problem, you become a better version of yourself. I’ll be honest, in my profession I like this moment when it becomes difficult, then I look for a new vision of the problem, and after that comes a successful solution.

– How do two cultures of different countries combine in your family?

– When my sons are asked who they are, the answer is that they are Austrian Ukrainians. I am a patriot of Austria and Ukraine, this is our second home. The name of our eldest son is Askold, in honour of the Prince of Kyiv, and the youngest is Taras. I don’t know very well all the peculiarities of Ukrainian culture and mentality, but I like everything (laughing).

– Based on your own experience, what would you advise our students and young doctors?

– There are no secrets in this, everything is simple, you have to love your work! Choose the specialization that you like, in which you will be interested in professional development, then you will not have to work a single day.

TNMU Journalist Solomia Hnatyshyn.

Photographs by Solomia Hnatyshyn and TNMU Press Secretary Yanina Chaykivska.