RSU Structural Unit of the Year 2023 – the Medical Education Technology Centre

This year, two structural units at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) received the same number of votes from the University’s employees and students voting in the Annual Awards – the Medical Education Technology Centre (METC) and the Anatomy Museum. Both received the award for Structural Unit of the Year. 

The RSU METC, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is the only simulation centre in Latvia and the largest in the Baltics. It has the appropriate infrastructure and equipment to provide skills training and development, as well as simulation programmes in various healthcare sectors.

The METC’s mission is to be a leader in the implementation of a simulation-based approach to medical education, providing high-quality education to current and future healthcare professionals in order to promote patient safety and improve the quality of health care in Latvia. 

The RSU Annual Award for Structural Unit of the Year was presented to the Acting Director of the Medical Education Technology Centre Andreta Slavinska by the Vice-Rector for Health Studies, Prof. Guntis Bahs. The ceremony was held on 9 September 2023 at the Riga Latvian Society House

Daily activities at the METC include the implementation of simulations of various complexities for undergraduate students and medical residents, ensuring the integration of simulations into classes, as well as the implementation of diverse activities together with cooperation partners such as the Emergency Medical Service, Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, 1st Riga Brigade of the National Guard, etc.

The METC is also involved in public education activities, such as first aid training in the Sporto Rīga programme, training in the use of an automated external defibrillator in cooperation with the Rimi supermarket chain, and the interactive educational event Zinošs un drošs (Knowledgeable and Safe). The Centre regularly organises tours for interest groups to present both healthcare studies and simulation-based education approaches.

The METC is proud of its own innovations that have improved the learning process: medical kits for remote training during the Covid-19 pandemic, remote online simulation solutions, lumbar puncture simulators, live tissue combined with a mannequin to simulate surgery, various 3D printed and silicone materials and simulators, as well as immersive visualisation environments. RSU has launched a simulated surgical unit and a military medical training area and will soon open a simulated accident and emergency unit.

The METC is staffed by a team with unique competencies – they are simulation instructors, clinical simulation specialists and laboratory technicians, as well as medical engineers. Procurement specialists, project managers and the METC office provide support for daily processes and innovations.

About the METC

• Address: 26a Anniņmuižas bulvāris
• Number of employees: 52
• Acting Director: Andreta Slavinska
• The Medical Education Technology Centre was opened on 16 May 2013 and falls under the authority of the Vice-Rector for Health Studies

RSU Structural Unit of the Year – Anatomy Museum