EMSA MEDSIN

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EMSA MEDSIN of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland is an independently run organisation of motivated students active in curriculum issues, community projects, international exchanges, campaigns and conferences. Founded in February 2006 by its first President and Vice-President, Vincent Wong Keng Kit and Tim Spruell, together with the help of Alisdair Gilmour, Aishwarya Ravishankar, Matthew Turner and Janelle Braithwaite, EMSA-MEDSIN aims to raise awareness of and take action on humanitarian and global health issues at a local, national and international level through its projects and campaigns.

The uniqueness of this medical society lies in that it is the first joint branch of the European Medical Students' Association (EMSA) and Medsin (UK branch of the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations) in Scotland and in the UK. It is also the very first branch of EMSA in Scotland.

[edit] Projects

EMSA-MEDSIN St. organizes a wide range of community projects to meet its aim. These include:

Movies & Medicine (M&M) combines a movie on a medical topic with a short lecture/discussion on the topic of the film. As learning can sometimes be quite boring, this project aims to help medical students in learning about medical issues e.g. diseases, ethics etc.
Teddy Bear Hospital aims to help children (6 – 9 years) to reduce their fears towards doctors and hospital environments. Children attend a one-day workshop (accompanied by parents) with their teddy bear or favorite toy and take on the role of teddy’s parents. Using role-play, children gain an understanding of basic medical procedures and consultations, without the pressure associated with being a patient. Medical students, as teddy doctors, can enhance their communication skills. Within the workshop, children will move around a variety of ‘stations’, where teddy doctors will cover a range of subjects, e.g. basic examination, hygiene, talk of fears (see proposal for other examples). Children can also familiarize themselves with basic medical equipment e.g. a stethoscope.

[edit] CPRis

EMSA MEDSIN has teamed up with a local British Heart Foundation Heartstart group, and operate through the BHF's Heartstart UK initiative. This project aims to equip children in local schools with the skills of basic life support and first aid. On occasions, training will also be offered to members of the local community in partnership with the St. Andrews surgery.