EMSA members organized educational activities for the World Diabetes Day

On the occasion of the World Diabetes Day, Ternopil State Medical University students members of the European Medical Student Association, organized a series of events. During two weeks, the doctors-in-training learned about the methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this disease, and taught city schoolchildren and students of other universities how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The main goal of the educational activities was to teach young people that proper nutrition, physical activity, and positive attitude are the best cure for many diseases.

First, EMSA members organized a thematic meeting on November 16, 2017. They invited associate professor of the Department of Pediatrics Viktoriia Furdelia to discuss which initial symptoms might be associated with of diabetes and should warrant closer attention. In addition, Dr. Furdelia spoke about the methods of treatment and prevention of this disease. She explained in detail how people with diabetes can count the bread units (the largest amount of hydrocarbon content) when selecting appropriate foods. At the end of her mini-lecture, Dr. Furdelia used a glucose meter to demonstrate how to blood glucose levels, and to test almost all participants of the event.

Another topic addressed during the meeting was the US system of licensing medical exams Step. The students learned which units constitute the exam, and how one can to prepare to take them. Special guest of the meeting was Jessica, who three years ago became one of the founders of European Medical Student Association at our university.

Next day, on November 17, 2017, EMSA members visited two secondary Ternopil schools – No. 6 and No. 3 – with a small presentation on diabetes mellitus. Students talked with the pupils about this disease, its two main types, symptoms, and prevention methods. They used playful approach to make the information memorable, showed how to help a person with diabetes in the events of a sugar crush or rapid increase of glucose in the blood. The students prepared informational printed materials that they distributed during meetings.

On 22 and 24 November EMSA members carried out similar information events at Ternopil National Technical University named after and school number No. 4.