ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon Brickwedel J, Brickwedel J, Reichenspurner H Collison SP, Mishra YK Initiating an International Exchange Program: Jumping Hurdles & Winning

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon The Idea  born in 2006 at 6 th ISMICS meeting in SFO  confirmed in 2007 at 7 th ISMICS meeting in Rome  initially scheduled for June 2008 – finally commenced 14 th April 2009 Dr. Yugal K. Mishra, MBBS, MS, Ph.D. Prof. H. Reichenspurner, M.D., Ph.D. Director Dep. Cardiovascular Surgery Professor and Chairman

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon The Partner University Heart Centre Hamburg, Germany Escorts Heart Institute & Research Centre Ltd. New Delhi, India

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon The Partner numbers and facts UHC 2008  valve surgery (AV, MV, TV, PV) convent. n=216, mic n=104 (MV repair rate 75%)  percutaneous valve proc. n=67  CABG n=499, OPCABG n=151  combined procedures single valve + CABG n=256 double valve + CABG n=25  aortic surgery n=127 (valve sparing procedures 15%)  HTX n=25, HLTX n=1, LTX n=4, BIVAD n=6  others n=252 EHIRC 2008  valve surgery (AV, MV) convent. n=253, mic n=35  OPCABG n=1251 (since 1994 n~ !)  combined procedures single valve + CABG n=56 double valve + CABG n=2  aortic surgery n=9  others n=630 TOTAL NUMBER OF CABG FROM 01/10/1988 TO 30/04/2009 YEARCABGOPCABGTOTAL JAN-APR TOTAL

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon The Start

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon How to Start  find the right department to go to  discuss your expectations with your new boss to avoid disappointments  different countries - different lifestyles, climate, diseases, etc.  language barriers  family/ partner – take them with or not?

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon My Expectations  to learn the art and science about OPCABG surgery at one of the most well-known centre  seeing & experiencing valvular heart diseases not-known in Europe  commence research projects together

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon Logistics  exchange period for 6 months  monthly renumeration paid by own institution  subsidized accommodation arranged  reciprocal administrative support (medical council registration, work permit, visa application)

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon Jumping Hurdles & Winning?!

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon Reality – German perspective  registration with Medical Council of India (incl. translated and certified copies of my degrees and university certificates, inviting letter from Dr. YK Mishra, sponsoring letter from Prof. Reichenspurner)  VISA application (VISA forms, flight tickets, letters as mentioned above)  documents were handed in 16 th April 2008 approved by the 5 th August 2008

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon Funding? visiting fellowship € 3´ no visiting/ traveling fellowship

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon Get Funding! clinical director, consultant, professor, chairman, … get you in contact with

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon Create Funding! What is ISMICS policy? Will FUNDING be discussed at the members meeting?

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon Outlook homesickness disappointment

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon Future  Are more residents interested in exchange programs?  Can we get the clinical directors motivated?  Can we get the industry on board?  Can we create a database with the participating clinics & their profiles?  we need a representative body for residents within ISMICS!

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon Summary  plan at least 1 year in advance  don't give up even if it looks hopeless – mostly there is a plan B and plan C and …!  the right planning and the choice of the right department are the keys for a successful exchange!

ISMICS 2009 International Fellows and Resident Luncheon Thank you very much