Representatives of TNMU Participated in the 31st Annual SESAM 2026 Conference in France
On June 17–19, 2026, the city of Lyon, France, hosted the 31st Annual SESAM Conference (Society for Simulation in Europe), one of the most prestigious European events dedicated to simulation-based education, patient safety, and innovative approaches to healthcare professional training.
The delegation from I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University included:
- Antonina Chervatiuk – Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Emergency and Simulation Medicine and Director of the Simulation Training Center;
- Nataliia Haliiash – Associate Professor at the Department of Pediatrics No. 2;
- Emiliia Burbela – Associate Professor at the Department of Pediatric Diseases and Pediatric Surgery;
- Oksana Sydorenko – Associate Professor at the Department of Emergency Medical Care.
The conference participants had the opportunity to explore the latest advancements in medical simulation, the application of artificial intelligence in medical education, contemporary approaches to the assessment of clinical competencies, and the development of communication skills and interprofessional collaboration.
Importantly, the representatives of TNMU not only participated in the conference activities but also presented their own educational and research achievements, which attracted considerable interest from the international professional community.
On behalf of a team of authors consisting of Iryna Borovyk, Nataliia Haliiash, and Nataliia Petrenko, Nataliia Haliiash organized a workshop entitled “Delivering Bad News with Care: Using the Fishbowl Discussion to Teach Difficult Conversations through Simulation.” This interactive session focused on the use of the Fishbowl discussion method to teach medical students how to deliver difficult news in a simulation-based learning environment and to enhance their communication competence.
Associate Professor Emiliia Burbela delivered an oral presentation in the Short Communications section entitled “A Simulation-Based Olympiad in Ukraine to Develop Communication Skills and Resilience in Emergency Medical Training.” The presentation focused on the use of simulation-based competitions as an innovative tool for developing communication skills and psychological resilience among future emergency medicine professionals.
Associate Professor Oksana Sydorenko presented an electronic poster entitled “Peer Groups for Medical Educators – Do We Really Need Them?”, highlighting the role of professional communities and peer-support groups in the professional development of medical educators in higher education institutions.
An electronic poster presentation entitled “Assessment of Basic Professional Communication Skills in History Taking during Practical Classes of Undergraduate Medical Students”, authored by Iryna Borovyk and Nataliia Haliiash, was also showcased at the conference. The study explored approaches to assessing medical students’ basic professional communication skills during patient history-taking in practical classes.
Participation in SESAM 2026 provided TNMU representatives not only with an opportunity to learn about the latest developments in simulation-based education but also to present Ukrainian experience to the international professional community. Networking with colleagues from different countries, exchanging ideas, and establishing new partnerships create promising opportunities for further development of educational initiatives, implementation of modern teaching approaches, and expansion of the university’s international cooperation.
Particularly valuable was the participation of Antonina Chervatiuk and Emiliia Burbela in the SESAM Annual General Meeting (AGM). During the meeting, participants discussed the society’s strategic priorities, educational and scientific initiatives, and mechanisms for supporting members from different countries. Of special importance to the Ukrainian participants was the discussion of future support measures for Ukrainian representatives and their participation in upcoming SESAM conferences. The decision to continue such support demonstrates the solidarity of the European simulation community and recognition of the significant contribution of Ukrainian professionals to the advancement of medical education.
The conference participants express their sincere gratitude to the Ukrainian-Swiss Project “Medical Education Development” for the financial support that made their participation in SESAM 2026 possible. They also extend special thanks to the Society for Simulation in Europe (SESAM) for its continued support of Ukrainian professionals, particularly through the provision of discounted conference registration fees. Such initiatives not only facilitate the participation of Ukrainian representatives in international professional events but also strengthen the spirit of unity, mutual support, and collaboration within the European educational community.
