HelMSIC Exchanges

Greece and Its History

The reasons that lead me towards choosing Greece for this exchange program is mainly due to its historic role in developing the "rational medicine", not based in myths nor superstitious. The most ancient medical information came from the works of Homer. The physicians were highly considered.

One of the "doctor-hero", Asclepius, was divinized in the beginning of Arcaic Age and became the most important god of Medicine. The Temples of Cure spread out all over and the people would dream that they were cured by him.

The Medicine in Greece of 21st Century

Greece, through HelMSIC (Hellenic Medical Students' International Committee), is one of the countries for the IFMSA exchange program. At Aristotle University, in the city of Thessaloniki, I attended the Professional Exchange Program (SCOPE), in Internal Medicine. The program took place at the AHEPA University Hospital.

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the biggest university in Greece and its medical school has over 2000 students. It also counts with 4 large hospitals Hippokrateion, Papanikolaou, Central and AHEPA. The Medical School has 9 Departments: Anatomy and Pathology, Physiology and Pharmacology, Biological Science and Preventive Medicine, Radiology, Medical Physics and Informatics, Sensorial Organs, Children Health, Neuroscience, Surgery and Internal Medicine.

University's Campus

I was introduced to professor Dr. Karamitsos, who explained shortly how the Department worked. Activities started at 9 o' clock A.M., through 2 o' clock P.M. I would be supervised by a sixth year student, and would be dismissed in case of lectures (that were in Greek). Everyday, I would help the attendance of 3 patients.

The doctors and the student use 3 different colors of pen to identify basic vital parameters: temperature, pressure and heart frequency. There is a table at the patient's bed, in which those parameters were constantly written.

AHEPA University Hospital

Besides the activities in the hospital, I attended the group of studies of sexually transmitted diseases. Professor Dr. Alexiou, was responsible for those activities, and in the first day I explained shortly about the AIDS in Brazil and the free distribution of anti-HIV medicines.

A very good thing in Greece is the free education. They have free new books every semester and two free meals every day - from Monday to Friday.

Final Considerations

This exchange program was more than politic - cultural - philosophic - economic learning and realizing. It made me think about Hippocrates' phrase about love; and iit does not establish limits or respect boundaries.

To take care is much simpler than diagnose and threat, but it goes beyond. Though I didn't speak Greek, only to touch amd to smile were eough to comprehend the meaning of love and for the art of healing. And this lesson I'll carry for all my life!

Leonardo Horacio de Brito, 2007

Medical Student in Brazil