From July 7 to 27, fourth-year medical student Bárbara Gomes dos Anjos, from the School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (Unicamp), took part in an observership program at Hamad Hospital, in Doha, Qatar. The internship focused on Trauma, Emergency, and Surgery, and was made possible through a cooperation agreement between Hamad Hospital and Unicamp, via the Division of Trauma Surgery, coordinated by Professor Gustavo Fraga.
The program was led by Professor Ruben Peralta, with the participation of Trauma Chiefs Dr. Hushan, Dr. Sherwan, Dr. Fajer, Dr. Hassan Al Thani, and Dr. Ahmad Zarour. “From the very beginning, I was impressed by the hospital’s structure and organization,” Bárbara said. The internship began with a guided tour of Hamad General Hospital’s main campus, including the Trauma and Emergency Center, ICU, trauma ward, operating rooms, and trauma room.
During the three weeks in Doha, Bárbara rotated through the Trauma Surgery Department, Trauma Intensive Care Unit, Trauma Room, Trauma Ward, and Operating Rooms, where she observed trauma, thoracic, and vascular surgeries. She also visited Sidra Children’s Hospital and the Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar campus. “It was incredible to see how advanced and integrated the trauma system is,” she noted.
Each morning, Bárbara joined presentations, clinical discussions, and handovers in the ICU and trauma ward. One of the highlights, she recalled, was visiting the Center for Clinical Simulation and Innovation (ITQAN) — one of the largest simulation centers in the world and the biggest in the Middle East. “At ITQAN, I had the chance to train on the da Vinci Surgical System and learn about the gold standards in medical education,” she said.
In her first week, Bárbara also participated in the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course, led by Dr. Sherwan and Dr. Husham. “They were amazing teachers — I learned so much from their experience,” she said. During her final week, she visited Sidra Hospital, guided by Dr. Guy Brisseau, who explained the local trauma system, healing process, and rehabilitation practices.
Reflecting on the experience, Bárbara described the observership as “a remarkable and transformative opportunity” for her academic and professional growth. “The lessons I learned in Qatar will stay with me forever,” she concluded.
