3 Months, 3 Rotations, 1 City

My Anaesthesia Training at Hospital Clínic Barcelona

Travelling is somehow an important part of my life – the opportunity to immerse myself in another country, its culture and its way of living is something I appreciate. Therefore, I was always curious to gain such an experience within the context of my professional life as a doctor.

I am grateful that the ESIAC provides this kind of opportunity – combined with clinical training. For three months, I had the chance to attend the Exchange Programme (EP) at the renowned Hospital Clínic in Barcelona, which is highly regarded for its excellent education and evidenced-based medical practices.

When I received the exciting news from the ESAIC EP Secretary, I had about ten months to prepare all necessary documents required for the official registration in Spain as a hands-on trainee in a hospital. Despite this relatively long preparation time, I have to admit that the registration process itself presented some challenges and, at times, felt almost like an adventure. Ultimately, everything worked out smoothly, but I would strongly advise future participants to carefully read the ESAIC’s recommendations regarding the national registration process and plan plenty of time for it. While both the ESAIC and the host center are incredibly supportive, you will still need to handle the paperwork on your own.

On my first day of the training programme, I was both nervous and excited. I was warmly welcomed by the department secretary, who gave me a tour of the hospital, provided me with a personal locker, and shared all the essential information to ensure a smooth start. That same day I finally got to meet my mentors in person after having corresponded with them via email for weeks. Thanks to their excellent organization, I was able to dive into clinical work immediately.

As I was interested to gain a broad overview of the department´s activities, my mentors arranged three really interesting rotations for me – cardiac, abdominal and neuroanaesthesia – along with several additional opportunities. For instance, I had the chance to spend some time at the ICU and participate in numerous interventional procedures out of the operating room. Throughout the exchange programme, I was consistently accompanied by experienced consultants who answered my questions, discussed cases, and taught me about the hospital’s approach to anaesthesia and patient-centred care.

As anaesthesiologists, we often meet at international conferences, follow shared guidelines, and share a common understanding of how to achieve the best outcomes for patients. However, there are many subtle differences in practice that can lead to the same goal. Discovering these differences was one of the most fascinating aspects of my exchange. To highlight just one example: I had the opportunity to observe many bariatric surgeries, which can pose unique challenges due to physiological alterations and specific patient risks. The hospital has a well-developed strategy to guide these patients safely through their surgeries. At my home hospital, bariatric surgeries are not performed regularly, so this experience has given me more confidence in treating such patients in the future.

All of my colleagues in the department were really supportive and welcoming from the very beginning. Additionally, there were nearly four educational sessions every week – such as resident training sessions, ICU discussions, research presentations – that provided me with a lot of theoretical knowledge.

Of course, a stay abroad is much more than just a professional exchange. A significant part of the experience is learning about the culture and the country. During these three months, I was able to fully immerse myself in the “vibe” of Barcelona and explore the many facets of this incredible city. My colleagues shared local recommendations for hidden spots, activities and nature spots outside of the city, so that I could enjoy Barcelona beyond the famous touristic attractions.

In summary, stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing something new is always a challenge. Yes, it´s work and sometimes it can be stressful, but in the end, it is a rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. I would like to express my gratitude to the ESAIC for creating this unique opportunity to temporarily switch perspectives during my residency. I would like to encourage every colleague who is reading this and thinking about applying for the programme to give it a try – you won´t regret it! 

Author

•  Christian Lange