FAST Surgery at Wroclaw Medical University

Around 200 future doctors will take part in practical training in surgical techniques at Wroclaw Medical University. The workshops will be led by members of the Student Scientific Society of Vascular, General and Transplant Surgery, who received funding for the project from the Student Activity Fund (FAST) program run by the Wrocław Academic Centre.

The project “FAST Surgery – Future Active Surgical Training: suturing workshops for medical students” was created in response to the growing need to train future specialists in surgical fields. Although these specialties are crucial for patients and healthcare systems, they remain understaffed and are not among the most popular career choices for medical graduates.

“For years we have been organizing workshops on surgical techniques both at our university and during scientific conferences across Poland. Our observations show that students are very interested in them, but often have limited access to such training, which may influence their career choices,” says Andrzej Mrożek, a sixth-year medical student, project leader and former president of the Student Scientific Society of Vascular, General and Transplant Surgery.“Thanks to this funding, we will be able to organize one of the largest training programs of its kind. Our project fills a gap in the market of courses that have high educational value while remaining free for students.”

Three levels of course advancement

The workshops will be held in university facilities adapted for practical training. A key partner in the project will be the Medical Simulation Centre at Wroclaw Medical University, which offers extensive infrastructure, including training models, surgical instruments, and space that allows several groups to work simultaneously.

Thanks to the FAST grant, the student society will purchase specialized training simulators, reusable surgical instruments such as needle holders, forceps and scissors, as well as consumable materials including surgical sutures, pads and injection needles. Advanced workstation equipment will also be prepared for the workshops.

The organizers plan ten sessions, each lasting about four hours and attended by 20 students. The training cycle is scheduled for October and November this year.

“The program will be tailored to students at different levels of experience—from those just beginning to learn surgical techniques to those already preparing for procedural specialties who want to develop skills beyond the standard medical curriculum,” explains Maksymilian Potoczny, the current president of the society.

Participants will learn basic suturing techniques, knot tying, and more advanced reconstruction procedures using specialized training models. Members of the student society believe that this hands-on training in manual skills and clinical preparation can help strengthen students’ interest in surgery.

The project may also lead to the development of a standardized educational module and teaching materials that could be used in future editions of the course.

Preparing students for the operating room

The organizers also plan to collaborate with student scientific societies from other universities. This cooperation may help promote Wroclaw Medical University as an academic center that actively supports the development of practical competencies and prepares future doctors for work in the operating theatre.

“FAST Surgery has the potential to strengthen the workforce of the healthcare system,” says Andrzej Mrożek.“A student who gains experience early on will work more confidently and safely with patients in the future. Our project is therefore a real investment in the quality of medical care.”