International experience
SCOREview Volume 1 – Number 1 – March 2009
Endocrinology in Croatia Host country: Croatia University of Rijeka, Department of Internal Medicine-Endocrinology, Clinical hospital Rijeka, Rijeka Project: Influence of endocrine disorders and bowel diseases on bone mineral density Project supervisor: Dr. Zeljka Crncevic -Orlic Grigoryeva Natalia, Saint-Petersburg State Medical Academy named after I.I. Mechnikov, Russia 4th year of study Spoken languages: Russian, English
This project is devoted to the problems of secondary osteoporosis and its identification. It also involved hormonal analysis and bone mineral density test by DEXA analysis. It’s important to analyze the connection between osteoporosis and bowel diseases and if gastroenterological pathologies are serious prerequisites for osteoporosis. The project was based in the Department of Internal Medicine-Endocrinology in Clinical hospital Rijeka. I got acquainted with work of the hospital, work of departments of endocrinology and department of Endoscopy. I saw how densitometry is performed and analysed. Also there was opportunity to observe gastroenterologists in action and procedures like gastroscopy, colonoscopy, ultrasound gastroscopy and liver biopsy. It was extremely interesting to engage with doctors of another country, to see their work and their way of communicating with patients. I found this to be an incredible experience as I’m yet to decided my future specialization. It helped me much. I didn’t do any clinical work as it required much experience. But I participated in discussions and watched procedures. City and country
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There were people from Ukraine, Egypt, Finland, Kazakhstan and Japan. There were students of different age groups with different temperaments. But we found c o m m o n language and soon we became friends. Even now we keep
communicating with each other. While in Rijeka, we had several excursions. It was exciting to discover beautiful sceneries and see so many picturesque places. We visited the marvellous Opatia, the charming Lovran, the merry Icici, the “venetian” Rovinj, Pula with its famous Coloseum, Brijuni Island with residence of Joseph Bros Tito and wonderful safari park, world-known Plitvice Lakes with its breathtaking views and impressive waterfalls. And of course, beautiful Zagreb-capital of Croatia, which has so much in common with my native city SaintPetersburg! We saw many small towns on the seaside. They are so beautiful, charming and being there feels like living in a fairy tale. The Adriatic Sea is fantastic! It’s absolutely pure and with its untouched nature it brings you to heaven on earth. One can easily forget all casual thoughts, problems and all negative emotions. However, the weather was different. Rijeka is called the “Croatian London” because of its frequent rains and thunders. We also witnessed impressive and powerful winds that knocks you down. One has no choice but to be humble and respect the authority of the Element of Air. I liked Croatians so much! They are so kind and open-hearted. We have much in common. Similar peculiarities of temperament and a common way of thinking. I felt like a guest but in the best meaning of this word! I enjoyed the Croatian hospitality. It was great! Preparations, travel and arrival I didn’t need visa. An invitational letter is enough for Russian tourists to enter Croatia. I flied from Moscow to Zagreb and then I took bus to Rijeka. There I was met by students where they droped me at my hostel. I took some common things from home – hair dryer and small iron. In