So, we are (almost) done 😊. Not only with the last official international meeting but with the entire MED-INTEGRO project, on which we have been working for three years with the support of SAAIC - National Agency for the Erasmus+ Program.

Yesterday, together with our partners from iCan School, EuroFortis SIA, Threshold Training Associates - Language School, and the International Association of Physicians in Slovakia, we had the chance to view the "finished work" and make only minor "decorative" adjustments.

So, what have we achieved over these three years of work?

✓ We created a platform for foreign healthcare professionals coming to our countries (Slovakia, Latvia, and the Czech Republic), where they can find everything to help them quickly and successfully integrate into the chosen country. The main content includes an educational section and specialized professional language training for healthcare workers through courses and e-learning.

✓ Based on the platform, we also developed mobile applications (Android and iOS) that provide instant and convenient access to the content.

✓ Since this type of education has its specificities and relatively few specialists, we developed teaching and preparation methodologies for both teachers and foreign healthcare students.

✓ We prepared a unique comprehensive material analyzing the healthcare situation in various EU countries in terms of needs and opportunities, including recommendations for improving adverse conditions. This material was presented to the broader professional public and government representatives.

Our project is therefore coming to an end (with the last administrative and financial matters still to be settled), but the work and its application are just beginning. We believe this is only the start, and over time we will add other countries. What we have created today is just the foundation of something much bigger in the future, as the need for this work was, is, and will remain!

P.S. Thanks also to myhive offices for providing a comfortable venue for our event.

On October 5th, 2024, an impactful online conference marked the closing event of the MED-INTEGRO project. Hosted by Latvian project partner Eurofortis in partnership with Latvian Medical Association (Latvijas Ārstu biedrība), the conference gathered more than 200 healthcare professionals. Running from 10:00 to 14:30, the event offered a comprehensive program focused on MED-INTEGRO project outcomes and practical insights for strengthening healthcare in Latvia.

The conference began with Eurofortis presenting an overview of the MED-INTEGRO project that was launched in 2022 in collaboration with partners from Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Eurofortis shared significant achievements, including the development of the Med-Integro platform, which provides useful resources, such as language-learning courses for foreign healthcare workers. These materials aim to ease the transition for professionals adapting to the Latvian healthcare environment and are now freely accessible to anyone in need.

Following the project introduction, Eurofortis presented an overview of the current situation in Latvia's healthcare field, highlighting both challenges and areas of growth. The presentation included a legal analysis prepared by Slovak partners, which explained the major barriers to the integration. At the end, attendees were encouraged to share their ideas and suggestions on how to foster interest in medicine as a career path among youth.

After a lunch break, attended could learn about various initiatives that support foreign doctors who are pursuing their career in Latvia. Latvian Medical Association organise language classes, which will now offer MED-INTEGRO's language course as a supplementary learning material. Our partnership strengthens a collective commitment to helping foreign professionals build successful careers in Latvia’s healthcare system. Conference attendees were invited to share their experiences and opinions related to the integration of foreign medical professionals.

Overall, the MED-INTEGRO final conference was a milestone in the project’s journey, celebrating the successful project implementation and setting the stage for future collaborations. With free resources now available, MED-INTEGRO project will continue to support foreign medical professionals and strengthen Latvia’s healthcare community.

Since its start in November 2021, the Med-Integro project has been dedicated to facilitating the relocation of foreign healthcare professionals to Europe. The collaboration of project partners:
• iCan language school (Slovakia),
• Threshold Training Associates language school (Czech Republic),
• Biedrība Eurofortis (Latvia)
• and Medzinárodna asociácia lekárov a zdravotníkov na Slovensku (Slovakia)
has enabled to create an innovative and comprehensive platform. As we approach the final stages, we are excited to share our progress and achievements.

The Med-Integro E-learning platform is designed to support healthcare professionals through various stages of their relocation and integration process. It currently boasts over 30 courses and provides a structured pathway to success through four distinct phases:

1. Phase 1: for beginners
2. Phase 2: intro to medical terms
3. Phase 3: Preparation for the Exam
4. Phase 4: Legal Minimum for the exam

Each phase is meticulously crafted to ensure a smooth transition for healthcare professionals, with detailed courses, videos, presentations, and vocabularies.

• Completion Status: 100%
• This phase introduces participants to the language and basics, laying a solid foundation for further learning.

• Completion Status: 94%
• Focuses on medical terminology and practical knowledge needed in the healthcare field.

• Doctors: 98%
• Nurses: 100%
• Dentists: 90%
• Pharmacists: 95%

Divided into specific courses tailored for different professions, this phase equips participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their qualification exams.

• Completion Status: 100%
• Covers the essential legal knowledge required for the exams, ensuring participants are well-prepared for every aspect.

We have developed comprehensive methodologies for both students and teachers, ensuring an effective and engaging learning experience. Our blog is thriving, offering valuable insights and updates to our community.

The Med-Integro project is on the brink of completing a monumental part of the work that will greatly aid the relocation and integration of foreign healthcare professionals to Europe. With significant progress across all phases and a robust platform in place, we are proud of our achievements and excited for the final steps.

We invite you to explore our platform, share your experiences, and stay tuned for the official launch of our mobile app and final website updates. Your feedback and support are invaluable as we strive to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare community.

Also, we would be glad to see you among the participants of a series of international presentations of the project results, the first of which will be held 13.09.2024 in Bratislava, Slovakia.

On May 29 and 30, 2024, the event CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR MIGRATION & INCLUSION BRATISLAVA GATHERING organized by EPIM (European Philanthropic Initiative for Migration) took place in Bratislava.

The event's goal was to address the question of how to build inclusive societies in the region and what is necessary for living and healthy democracies. The present time puts us in front of many challenges that we have to face and migration is one of the main ones. Only how we approach them will ultimately mean whether an opportunity or a problem awaits us. Therefore, at the event, participating organizations that deal with migration and subsequent inquisition presented their real experiences and views on the issue.

Among the basic discussed questions to which the participants tried to find answers was the question of changing society's approach to migrants to see and assess them comprehensively (holistically) and not only from the point of view of their economic benefit or burden on society. Practical questions were directed to removing various barriers (social, economic, cultural, religious) where there was room for presentations of various practical solutions and proposals.

Among the most inspiring presentations of this time of the event was the presentation of the Med-Integro project, which is being created with the support of the EU within the framework of Erasmus Plus, and the main author of the whole idea, Alona Kurotová, spoke with it. This project is a guide to a practical solution for a selected group of migrants who are healthcare workers. The paradox is that our entire region suffers from a long-term lack of qualified medical personnel, and despite this, the inclusion of these people is difficult and often completely pointlessly complicated. From our point of view, the successful inclusion of foreigners in our society is possible only if these people feel welcome, valued, supported and respected here. We found that we need a system of integration or inclusion for foreign and returning health workers, that's why the Medintegro project was created. It combines 4 parts: a relocation system, where foreign health workers could be welcomed, employees are respected, a community that supports them, and e-learning modules that make them more valued. We know that every part is important, it is not only about the language. It is clear to us that this project deals with only a selected small group of highly qualified migrants, but in the subsequent discussions, it became clear that it can be a suitable basis and tool for a systemic solution to the inclusion of much wider group migrants, mainly from the point of view of the lack of labour and the ageing of the population both in our region and throughout Europe.

We believe that just such inspiring events will help us together to turn a problem into an opportunity, and our thanks, therefore, go to the organizers as well as to all the participants of the event.

On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, a ceremonial signing of the Agreement on Mutual Cooperation took place between the International Association of Physicians in Slovakia and the Faculty of Law of Comenius University in Bratislava. This marks the culmination of negotiations aimed at actively participating in addressing current societal issues in the field of health care. This agreement creates a strong professional partnership, particularly in the preparation of legislative proposals necessary for the better integration of foreign healthcare professionals, as well as in research, education, and project areas.

Although the Ministry of Health announced the simplification of the diploma recognition system for Ukrainian nurses with a completed bachelor's degree last year, which would have provided them with the opportunity to fully apply their qualifications in the Slovak healthcare system, the real outcome is indicated by the title of this post. One could ironically note that the debate about Ukrainian nurses in the Slovak healthcare system is "a debate about nothing."

However, to better understand the essence of the problem and potential solutions, it is necessary to listen to the opinions of those who are looking for ways and solutions (and, of course, know what they are talking about).

This was precisely the focus of Tuesday's broadcast "First-hand Experience," where the President of the Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives (Slovenská komora sestier a pôrodných asistentiek), Iveta Lazorova, was also in discussion alongside the founder of International Association of Physicians in Slovakia (MALnS), Alona Kurotova.

In conclusion, it is simply desired that all relevant authorities take a close look at this issue, because the problem of nursing shortages in our healthcare system will not resolve itself (and will only get worse).

MEDINTEGRO, as part of its aim to facilitate the employment and integration of health professionals from outside the European Union into EU countries, invites you to an interesting event!

Many healthcare professionals from abroad have already successfully participated in the online Slovak language courses for healthcare professionals that we have prepared together with our main partner - the iCanSchool language school.

We would therefore like to invite you to a meeting where you will learn more about the practical and legal aspects of employing Ukrainian doctors in Slovakia.

We will talk about:

• legal status and opportunities in Slovak healthcare
• key aspects to consider when entering into a contract with an employer and preparing for a new working environment.

The meeting will be addressed by Mgr. Alona Kurotová, PhD., founder of the International Association of Doctors in Slovakia, iCan School, director of the consulting company Alkur, director of the Alona Kurotová Foundation. Don't miss this unique opportunity to prepare for your future in a new medical environment!

When and at what time?

May 18, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.

Where?

Place: Panónska cesta 3604/17, 851 01 Petržalka, kancelária 4, priestor iCan School.

Registration is required

Join us now!

MEDINTEGRO, в рамках своєї місії з полегшення працевлаштування та інтеграції медичних працівників з-поза меж Європейського Союзу в країни ЄС, запрошує вас на цікавий захід!

Багато медичних фахівців із-за кордону вже успішно взяли участь у онлайн-курсах зі словацької мови для медичного персоналу, які розроблені спільно з нашим головним партнером - мовною школою iCanSchool.

Тому ми хочемо запросити вас на зустріч, де ви дізнаєтеся більше про практичні та юридічні аспекти питання працевлаштування українських лікарів у Словаччині.

Поговоримо про:

• правовий статус і можливості у медичній системі Словаччини
• ключові аспекти, які варто врахувати при укладанні договору з роботодавцем та підготовці до нової робочої обстановки.

На зустрічі виступить Mgr. Альона Куротова, PhD., засновниця Міжнародної Асоціації лікарів у Словаччині, мовної школи iCan School, директор консалтингової компанії Alkur, керівниця Благодійного фонду Альони Куротової. Не пропустіть цю унікальну можливість підготуватися до свого майбутнього в новому медичному середовищі!

Коли та о котрій?

18 травня 2024 року, о 13:30

Де?

Місце: Panónska cesta 3604/17, 851 01 Petržalka, офіс 4, приміщення iCan School.

Реєстрація обовʼязкова

Долучайтесь вже зараз!

iCanSchool team being in Riga in August for a Learn & Lead used this opportunity to have a meeting with the EuroFortis team regarding the Med-Integro project!

We had a very productive meeting discussing project issues and further plans 🤝.

We thank you our partners for such hospitality and responsiveness.

Wishing everyone to have a wonderful and productive day 🫶.

On June 26-27, there was a productive Med-Integro project meeting in Prague!

iCanSchool, EuroFortis, Jazyková škola Threshold Training Associates, Medzinárodná asociácia lekárov a zdravotníkov na Slovensku representatives gathered to discuss developments in the project and its further growth.

The goal of the project is to support healthcare workers from different countries in their integration in Slovakia, Latvia and the Czech Republic.

During these two days, the meeting participants took part in a platform training, shared project progress, discussed a course structure and agreed on the plans.

We agreed on a common strategy, ways of further development, common methods of testing and more.

The Med-Integro meeting was very productive. We thank you Jazyková škola Threshold Training Associates for hosting us and a big thank you to all the partners for such a fruitful work.

Dozens of monthly online meetings where the project team synchronizes progress, gets feedback from partners, discusses next steps and simply supports each other.

More than 100 foreign doctors, pharmacists, dentists and nurses have started taking a specialized Slovak language course for healthcare workers.

The course takes place online and is being delivered by the iCanSchool.

MEDINTEGRO is a project aimed at the relocation and integration of foreign healthcare professionals in the EU and is being implemented with the support of SAAIC - Erasmusplus SK and Medzinárodná asociácia lekárov a zdravotníkov na Slovensku

Similar testing of the study program will soon be carried out by other participants of the project: EuroFortis (Latvia) and Jazyková škola Threshold Training Associates (Czech Republic).

Participants of the international educational project MED-INTEGRO met in Bratislava. Representatives of the language schools of Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Latvia discussed the goals and scope of the project, as well as assigned tasks for the first stage. The main vector of work in the next few months is the collection and analysis of information about the training materials available in each participating country.

At the meeting, partners Alona Kurotova, Jitka Blazkova, Ladislav Blazek, Adela Vitkovska, Jurij Vitkovskij and Oleh Verhulenko agreed on the distribution of tasks within the project and set further goals, which are mainly focused on collecting information about the available training materials in each country. The next meeting is scheduled for early June.