VII International Olympiad on Simulation Medicine at TNMU
From 2018, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University and Cherkasy Medical Academy are responsible for launching Ukraine’s first paramedic training program. Paramedics are bachelor’s degree students in “Nursing”, specializing in “Emergency Medicine.” Based on qualifications and paramedic training programs from Lithuania and Poland, TNMU developed Ukraine’s first educational-professional program, “Paramedic.”
Key Steps in TNMU’s Paramedic Training Program Implementation:
International Olympiad Initiation: To enhance knowledge and practical skills, TNMU inaugurated an International Olympiad on Simulation Medicine, involving collaborative drills with the State Emergency Service and the National Police of Ukraine.
Faculty Development: The program’s faculty includes emergency medicine specialists, primarily practicing doctors from Emergency Medical Service (EMS) teams.
Simulation Center Creation: A state-of-the-art simulation training center focusing on emergency and urgent medical care was established. This includes equipped training and active EMS vehicles, Ukraine’s first simulated Emergency Department, and training areas for real-time assistance in traffic accidents and mass casualty incidents.
In December 2024, TNMU hosted the 7th International Olympiad on Simulation Medicine (“TernopilSimOlymp-2024”) at its Simulation Center. Co-organizers included the Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine, the All-Ukrainian Resuscitation Council, and the Emergency Medical Care Council.
Participants:
The Olympiad featured seven teams of higher education students:
Dnipro State Medical University
L.M. Sytenko Professional Medical College, Lebedyn
Zhytomyr Medical Institute of the Zhytomyr Regional Council
Chortkiv Professional Medical College
Ternopil National Medical University:
a team of 3rd-year paramedic students
two teams of international students from the Faculty of Medicine.
Day One Activities (December 5, 2024):
Participants attended workshops conducted by TNMU’s Department of Emergency and Simulation Medicine faculty:
Management of Critical External Bleeding and Emergency Response in Traffic Accidents
Delivered by Narhiz Dzhavadova and Alina Tomkiv, ERC instructors.
Patient Management with Hemorrhagic Shock and FAST Protocols
Conducted by Roman Huk and Nestor Trach, assistants at the Department of Emergency and Simulation Medicine, ERC instructors.
Basic and Advanced Adult and Pediatric Resuscitation Techniques
Led by Antonina Chervatyuk (Head of TNMU Simulation Training Center) and Yuriy Denysiuk, ERC instructors.
Evening competitions began with theoretical assessments on emergency medical care, followed by two tactical medicine challenges designed by Viktor Shatskyi and Yaroslav Kitsak, Associate Professors at TNMU.
Roman Huk ensured technical support, while the preparation of contest venues was managed by senior laboratory assistant Valeriy Zhizhnomyrskyi and specialists Oleh Kosinskyi, Maksym Kalenyuk, and Sofiia Huk.
Closing and Awards:
The day concluded with a debriefing session led by task developers and judges, highlighting correct protocols and improvement strategies. Professor Stepan Zaporozhan, TNMU’s Vice-Rector for Scientific, Pedagogical, and Medical Work, addressed participants, emphasizing the Olympiad’s legacy as a university hallmark since its inception in 2016.
The event was successful despite wartime challenges, including limited team participation and restricted access to the “Chervona Kalyna” training complex. Professor Zaporozhan expressed gratitude to the participants and organizers.
Winners:
3rd Place: M. Sytenko Professional Medical College, Lebedyn.
Absolute Champion: Chortkiv Professional Medical College.
Best Ukrainian Teams:
1st Place: TNMU paramedic students.
2nd Place: Chortkiv Professional Medical College.
Best International Team: TNMU international students Aishwarya Pawar, Poorva Wadkar, and Navneet.