What is a Faculty, how does one learn, how does one teach, how does one act, who is one with, what are the extra activities and what are the entrance requirements – all of these are typical questions for which we can find the answers in the different sites on higher education organisms. But the reality of the answers can only be understood through interpersonal communication, that is, in loco experience.

One of the components of the mission of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (FMUL) is the establishing of interactions with civil society, and in 2008 the conditions had been met for response to the interest that students in Portuguese secondary education had shown about getting to know the FMUL. Therefore, from that year on, there was the creation of the “Studying Medicine at the FMUL – Candidate’s Day” event (newsletter n.º 3) which was repeated in 2009 (newsletter n.º5) and again this year on the 21st of April, coordinated by the FMUL event organizing committee (CODC). The members of the CODC belong to several different technical-administrative structures, with specific functions, and the holding of these events is a result of their capacity to establish coordinated and concerted interactions.

The CODC, as a working team, accepts “the challenge to do the same thing in new ways” (Canavarro, 2007:12). This commitment to innovation comes from the responsibility for organising an event with great visibility and interest for a large number of potential future students at the FMUL. These students will later on be in contact with their friends and families. The team’s effort in innovation is directed towards guaranteeing that this “pass-the-word” is in a positive direction, reinforcing the fame of the institution.

Analysis of the results obtained as to the satisfaction of those who have participated have allowed us to introduce changes in 2009 (2) and 2010. Therefore, in relation to this year, the CODC altered its dynamic and the processes (i) of divulging the information, (ii) of the organisation of enrolments and (iv) of the programme, but maintained the event’s aims.

The divulging of the event was started very early, covering most of the electronic mediums available, and with the participation of the Students’ Association of the FMUL (AEFML). The enrolments were made on-line, accompanied by the filling in of a questionnaire. In this manner it was possible to obtain information about the person responsible for bringing the participant, the characterisation of the profile of the participants and the registering of the end of enrolments (having reached the limit of numbers).

As for the content of the programme, clarification about issues related to “Admission to the FMUL”, instead of taking up a session, was made available in a “kiosk”, with the presence of members of the academic services and with the distribution of descriptive leaflets.

Candidate’s Day was held between the premises of the Egas Moniz Building (EEM) and the Main Building shared with the Santa Maria Hospital – North Lisbon Hospital Centre, which, along with the Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), forms the Academic Medical Centre (CAM). The 141 participants were received in the EEM by the organising team, which, after confirming their enrolments, received their group identification for their staggered visits to some of the teaching/learning places, namely the IMM research laboratories, the Institute of Anatomy anatomical theatre and Institute of Clinical Semiotics. The visits took place after the opening of the event by Professor Carlota Saldanha, and the presentation of the profile of the participants by Dr Nuno Rodrigues (GPA). This welcome session included a talk by Professor Miguel Oliveira da Silva, President of the Pedagogical Council, who explained the scientific and pedagogical meaning of the Integrated Masters Course in Medicine (MIM).

He was followed by Professor João Ferreira, who presented an overview of research on the MIM and in the Office for Scientific, Technological and Innovation Research Support (GAPIC), which was exemplified by the FMUL student Francisco Silva, in his quality as a young researcher. Student Miguel Vieira Martins described his participation on the ERASMUS programme. Professor Emília Valadas presented the programme of clinical practice in Africa, and student Sara Lino described the stages of the work carried out in Mozambique, Cape Verde and St Thomas and Prince Islands. The participants were accompanied by teachers and students at the FMUL on the visits to the above-mentioned teaching/learning spaces. There was a break for lunch and to go to the FMUL information kiosk and participate in leisure activities promoted by the Social Action Service of the University of Lisbon (SASUL).

The afternoon period was spent listening to reports about experiences in practicing medicine, specifically by Professor Fernando Nobre, and the contribution to the humanitarian cause given by International Medical Aid (AMI), of which he is the founder and chairman, followed by Professor Helena Canhão and her contribution in clinical practice, teaching and research.

Following this, the president of the AEFML, Diogo Medina, talked about the association’s aims and activities. The closing session included an assessment of the event through a questionnaire survey carried out by the participants.

Results

The participants, generally female (analysis of enrolment forms), highlighted the following as reasons for participating in the event: (i) interacting with teachers, researchers and students, (ii) getting to know the FMUL premises and academic life, (iii) obtaining information about admission conditions, and (iv) justifying the choice of the institution. The participants consider that medicine is a vital area for society, which is the reason they wish to enter the MIM. They hope, should they enter the MIM, to achieve personal satisfaction alongside professional fulfilment.

Relative to the event, all the participants considered it to be useful, and were very satisfied about the programme and the answers they received (participation). Their will to enter the FMUL was in all cases strengthened after attending the event.

As for the weak points (evaluation), a minority mentioned: (i) the poor management of the time, namely short time for lunch and too much time for some activities, (ii) the impossibility to get to know all the premises and the high number of people in each group.
The gains obtained by the event participants, as shown by the results obtained in the final questionnaire and the experience of the organising team, give us an incentive to carry on and improve.

José Fernandes e Fernandes, Bruno Moura, Cheila Almeida, Lara Ponte, Lilia Louro, Margarida Cabral, Marta Agostinho, Nuno Rodrigues, Paula Melo, Pedro Marçal, Rodolfo Martins, Sofia Cruz, Sónia Barroso, Carlota Saldanha
estudarmedicina@fm.ul.pt
Official Blog – http://www.candidatofmul2010.blogspot.com

Bibliography:
CANAVARRO, ANA (2007), “As pessoas e o que elas sabem”, Pessoal, n.º 64, APG, Lisboa

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