Creating a training environment for young doctors.

BAC NINH - From cases that previously required referral to higher-level hospitals, many advanced techniques are now being performed right at the provincial hospital. Behind this shift is a strategy of giving opportunities, placing trust in, and creating conditions for young doctors to quickly mature and master their expertise.

Growing through practical experience.

In 2013, after graduating from Hanoi Medical University, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Long (born in 1989), currently the Deputy Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Bac Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital No. 2, chose to pursue a specialization in obstetrics and gynecology. Since joining the hospital (in 2015), he has received comprehensive training, participated in many advanced programs on laparoscopic surgery and endocrinology, and completed his Specialist Doctor Level I degree.

Thanks to this, he and his colleagues have effectively implemented the management of gestational diabetes – a condition that is easily overlooked if not adequately screened. Currently, the department receives 30-40 pregnant women each month for examination and monitoring of gestational diabetes, helping patients receive comprehensive management right at the provincial level.

Dr. Phan Van Minh, a resident physician, checks the health of a pediatric patient being treated in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Bac Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital No. 2.

Dr. Phan Van Minh (born in 1990), a resident physician in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (Bac Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital No. 2), has been sent for advanced training in post-operative resuscitation and continuous renal replacement therapy to prepare for the implementation of these techniques. Previously, many severe cases had to be transferred to higher-level hospitals, but now, with improved professional capacity, many cases can be treated locally.

In particular, since 2022, when continuous hemodialysis (SHD) was implemented, Dr. Minh and his team have promptly applied the technique, saving the lives of many critically ill children, including a 15-month-old child with severe septic shock who was saved after 40 hours of continuous hemodialysis.

At Viet Yen General Hospital, with its well-trained staff, especially young doctors, the hospital has gradually mastered many difficult and advanced surgical techniques such as gastrectomy, colorectal resection for cancer treatment, and advanced techniques in the field of nephrology and urology such as percutaneous lithotripsy and retrograde lithotripsy.

Surgical emergency capabilities have also been significantly improved with successful on-site treatment of many severe abdominal injuries such as liver, spleen, and kidney trauma. This has reduced the risk of death and minimized the risks associated with transferring patients to distant hospitals.

In reality, when given the right training and opportunities for practice, young doctors not only quickly mature professionally but also directly bring practical benefits to patients.

Emphasis on in-depth training

Currently, there is a shift in the leadership mindset of hospitals regarding human resource training. Instead of short-term, supplementary courses, many units prioritize long-term training linked to clear professional development orientations. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hien (born in 1996), from the Pediatrics Department of Thuan Thanh General Hospital, is one such example.

Doctors at Viet Yen General Hospital performed a laparoscopic surgery.

Having graduated from Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy and started working in the field in 2021, she is currently pursuing a Specialist I degree in Pediatrics at Hanoi Medical University. According to Dr. Hien, training at major medical institutions helps broaden clinical thinking and improve disease identification skills.

During her work, she once admitted a child to the hospital with breathing difficulties, initially mistaken for a common respiratory illness. However, after a thorough examination, the doctor discovered signs of cardiac abnormalities and promptly referred the child to another facility. The child was subsequently diagnosed with congenital heart disease and received timely intervention.

Hospitals have identified human resource training not only as an immediate task but also as a long-term strategy. At Bac Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital No. 2, during the period 2023-2025, 101 doctors participated in short-term, medium-term, and long-term training, focusing on key specialties in obstetrics and pediatrics, along with supporting specialties.

By the end of 2025, the province will have over 11,700 personnel working in public health facilities. The quality of human resources is gradually improving, with over 1,700 people holding postgraduate degrees (accounting for 14.8%), and postgraduate doctors reaching 44.1%. Training is emphasized; in 2025, 128 officials were sent to pursue postgraduate studies, and 244 received training in new techniques at central hospitals.

At Viet Yen General Hospital, through reviewing and compiling statistics on human resources and disease patterns, the unit has clearly defined its goals, focusing on developing cutting-edge surgical techniques to meet the practical needs of an area with a young population, a high percentage of female workers, and a high incidence of surgical, obstetric, and pediatric diseases.

"These are all areas closely related to the local disease patterns," affirmed Dr. Tran Minh Phuong, Director of Viet Yen General Hospital.

Similarly, at Thuan Thanh General Hospital, the 2026 training plan demonstrates the unit's proactive approach, with 8 staff members sent for postgraduate studies, 9 staff members trained in the implementation of new techniques, and many other professional development programs.

However, the decisive factor lies not only in providing opportunities for further education and skill development, but also in how organizations utilize and support their graduates after training. If placed in the right positions, given appropriate tasks, and provided with professional support, young doctors can quickly demonstrate their capabilities and gradually master techniques within their respective organizations.

Clearly, giving opportunities to young doctors is not just about training, but also about how healthcare facilities invest in the future. When the next generation of doctors is strong enough, the healthcare system will be strengthened from the ground up, improving the quality of medical examination and treatment and better meeting the healthcare needs of the people.

Text and photos: Hue Nguyen

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/tao-moi-truong-ren-luyen-cho-bac-si-tre-postid446194.bbg