On Friday 17th November, members of Cochrane Croatia had the pleasure and honour of hosting colleagues from the College of Medicine, Rangsit University, and the Rajavithi Hospital, in Bangkok, Thailand.
A large delegation of 25 health professionals, representing leaders in their field, visited the University of Split School of Medicine (UoSSoM) in order to learn about the work of Cochrane Croatia and the Centre for Evidence-based Medicine (CEBM).
The Vice-dean for Research and International Collaboration, prof. Katarina Vukojević, began the afternoon with a description of the courses offered at the UoSSoM. Both the Rector, and Rector Emeritus, of the College of Medicine at Rangsit University, Clin. Prof. Jedsada Chokdamrongsuk, and Clin. Prof. Suravit Techathuvanan, respectively, were interested in the organisation of medical training in Croatia.
This was followed by a presentation of the work of Cochrane Croatia, by Cochrane Croatia’s Director, Dr. Irena Zakarija-Grkovic. Interest in the Cochrane International Mobility Program was expressed by Thai delegates, who were keen to involve their students in the work of Cochrane.
Researchers from the CEBM, led by Prof. Ana Marušić, next shared their areas of scientific investigation and presented the history and work of the CEBM. Nensi Bralić, Marija Franka Žuljević, Antonija Mijatović and Luka Ursić described their research projects, covering a wide range of topics, from research integrity and the history of medicine to knowledge translation and psychedelic research. The Dean from the Faculty of Science at Rangsit University, Prof. Emeritus Vorachai Sirikulchayanonta, was impressed with the work of the CEBM team, and enquired about the undergraduate training of medical students in research.
Dr. Mirjana Huić, from the HTA/EBM Centre in Zagreb, and Cochrane Croatia’s HTA Coordinator, joined via Zoom, to share with our guests the role of Health Technology Assessments (HTA) in health care at the national and EU level. Dr Huić gave a short overview of new EU HTA Regulations, and the four areas of joint work, with the main goal to improve access to innovative (life/saving) technologies.
Finally, our guests had the opportunity to visit the CEBM, where in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere we got to know each other better and exchange ideas and experiences. We look forward to future collaboration with our Thai colleagues, and wish them a safe trip home.
Irena Zakarija-Grković
