MMSA Freshers' Booklet 2015 by Malta Medical Students' Association

Freshersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Booklet 2015 .........................................................................................................................................................

www.mmsa.org.mt .................................................................................................................................................. ...................................................................................................................................................................................

Freshersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Booklet 2015 .........................................................................................................................................................

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President president@mmsa.org.mt Vice President for External Affairs vpe@mmsa.org.mt Vice President for Internal Affairs vpi@mmsa.org.mt Secretary General secgen@mmsa.org.mt Treasurer treasurer@mmsa.org.mt Public Relations Officer pro@mmsa.org.mt Professional & Research Exchange Officer - Incomings neo.nore@mmsa.org.mt Professional & Research Exchange Officer - Outgoings neo.nore-out@mmsa.org.mt Medical Education Officer scome@mmsa.org.mt Sexual & Reproductive Health Officer scora@mmsa.org.mt Public Health Officer scoph@mmsa.org.mt Human Rights & Peace Officer scorp@mmsa.org.mt Peer Education & Training Officer scopet@mmsa.org.mt Leisure Officer leisure@mmsa.org.mt Electives Officer electives@mmsa.org.mt

Credits Cover, Editor, Design and Layout: Stefano Corso Proofreaders: Maria Grazia Grech, Gregory Selbie, Sharona Falzon, Lara Rapa, Naomi Piscopo, Alexia Grech, Christian Schembri, Jessica Schembri Higgans Author of ‘Study Tips’: Denise Said

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Contacts

www.mmsa.org.mt

Contents Editorial.............................................................................................6 Welcome Message from the President...............................................7 Department of Anatomy.....................................................................8 Department of Physiology & Biochemistry...........................................9 Meet the Board of Directors.............................................................10 The Executive Board...........................................................10 The Team of Officials...........................................................11 Vice President for External Affairs.....................................................12 Vice President for Internal Affairs......................................................13 Secretary General...........................................................................14 Treasurer.........................................................................................15 Professional & Research Exchange Officer - Incomings....................16 Professional & Research Exchange Officer - Outgoings....................17 Medical Education Officer................................................................18 Sexual & Reproductive Health Officer...............................................19 Public Health Officer........................................................................20 Human Rights & Peace Officer.........................................................21 Peer Education & Training Officer......................................................22 Leisure Officer.................................................................................23 Electives Officer...............................................................................24 Supervising Council.........................................................................25 First Year by the Ex-First Year..........................................................26 Training and Resource Development (TRD) Weekend.......................27 Towards a Healthier Society.............................................................28 March Meeting 2016 Malta..............................................................30 Your Booklist and Studyunits............................................................31

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Public Relations Officer

Editorial Welcome Freshers! Congratulations on getting here, this is one of the most prestigious courses offered by the University of Malta and you should be proud of yourselves for getting this far! My name is Stefano Corso and I’m MMSA’s Public Relations Officer for the term 2015 – 2016. Basically, I’m in charge of MMSA’s media and publications – and one of those publications is…you guessed it – Freshers’ Booklet! MMSA has been representing medical students since 1951 and its aim is to unite medical students and to raise awareness amongst the general public about health issues and their prevention. I encourage you to join MMSA’s big family as there are many opportunities for everyone. Inside this booklet you will find a message from each member of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors (BD) is a team of fifteen medical students who have different roles of leadership within the MMSA. The Board of Directors is made up of the Executive Board and the Team of Officials. You will also find a message from the Head of the Anatomy Department and the Head of the Physiology & Biochemistry Depart6

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Stefano Corso

ment and articles about exciting events coming up during this year including the ‘March Meeting 2016 Malta’ and the ‘Towards a Healthier Society’ Project. Confused? I don’t blame you, you are being flooded with lots of new information and we have compiled this booklet full of useful information to help you understand it all. During my first year I kept checking back to my Freshers’ booklet for information about things I didn’t quite understand so be sure to keep this booklet somewhere you can find it, because I’m sure it’ll come in handy. I’m sure your journey here must have been hard, involving a lot of studying and exam-induced stress. Your journey through the Medical Course will involve a lot of dedication as well. However, you can deal with the stresses of the medical course in a healthy way. The most important way you can do this is to make friends with your fellow students by being active in MMSA. Enjoying a laugh together is a great way to relieve stress. In the end, don’t forget to have some fun and take on new challenges!

Favourite Inspirational Quote:

“The purpose of life is to live it and to taste experience to the utmost”

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Dear Freshers, Welcome to medical school! First of all congratulations and well done for successfully making it into the medical course! A new adventure that will change your life completely is about to begin. As you will soon find out, being a medical student might be a bit stressful at times but this is not always the case as you will have the opportunity to make plenty of new friends, enjoy the University life and get involved in student activism in order for you to truly acquire a complete enriching experience. University is all about new experiences and as you will soon find out it is not only about books, exams and lectures. I would like to take the opportunity to invite you to participate within the Malta Medical Students’ Association (MMSA). This is one of the largest and strongest organizations on campus with a very interesting history having been actually founded in 1951. By being an active member of the association you will grow holistically and you will be exposed to numerous opportunities which ultimately will affect your development helping you become a mature young doctor. There are also numerous international opportunities that are offered to all medical students which definitely cannot be ignored; including the IFMSA exchanges, meetings and other conferences in general. You may find out more about MMSA and the intense work carried out by visiting the MMSA website www.mmsa.org.mt MMSA represents all medical students at the University of Malta and it has always been committed to the medical student body first and foremost. MMSA has a very vast and broad structure; through its various standing committees and offices it targets several medical issues in relation to public and reproductive health, medical education, human rights, peer education and training, exchanges, public relations, electives and finally leisure. In general MMSA has a very busy calendar filled with informative activities, important seminars and health campaigns in which you are invited to participate.

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Welcome Message from the President

www.mmsa.org.mt

Steve Sammut Alessi

President

This scholastic year is different however; MMSA will have the honour to host the March Meeting (MM2016). This is the General Assembly for the ‘International Federation of Medical Students’ Association’ (IFMSA) which will unite medical students coming from all over the world to Malta this March. This is currently being planned and organized by a diligent and hardworking organizing committee to ensure a successful event. This will offer countless opportunities to local medical students that will once again encourage a more active learning approach. One of the first events following freshers’ week is the ‘Training and Resource Development Weekend’ (better known as TRD). This is one of the most anticipated events and in fact I would like to take the opportunity to encourage you to attend this weekend seminar that ultimately has the main goal of encouraging your integration in MMSA and Medicine. Finally I would like to wish you the very best for your future in the course and the medical career. Medicine is not impossible, and most people have succeeded in graduating, therefore never lose heart. Feel free to contact me with any other feedback, questions or any other comments via email president@mmsa.org.mt or via any other social media you may prefer. I would like to end with a quote I truly believe in. ‘Where there is a will, there is a way!’

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Head of Anatomy Department

Welcome to a brave new world! That is what I define being enrolled in an MD course, at the end of which you will become a doctor! At the moment you may still be basking in your glory for managing to get into the course. And I congratulate you over and over again upon that, because it is truly a great achievement! Mark my words - your life will never be the same from now on! The experience of both being a medical student, but above all, being a doctor, is truly the most amazing out of all professions. You are too young in your careers at this stage to appreciate this, but a time will come where you will understand. When I was a student myself, one of our tutors had told us that ‘we, as medical students, are the crème de la crème’. However, in my opinion and experience, it is not a matter of being the most ambitious, the most famous or the most intelligent, in spite of the stereotype that society may impose on you. Being a medical student entails that both you and those who really care for you will have to do sacrifices more than what your friends in other courses and/or jobs will ever dream of. So far I may have sounded rather sombre, however not all is doom and gloom! Actually being a medical student is really fun! It is during this course that most of you will grow from adolescents to young adults (at least physically!), and that long lasting relationships will be forged, including finding your soul mate or better half (it happened to me at least!). Make the most out of the opportunities that are available during student life, such as going on electives abroad, taking part in extracurricular activities, and why not, the famous MMSA parties!

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Dr. Jean Calleja Agius

You are really privileged in that once you are now a medical student, you are automatically MMSA members. MMSA is one of the most active student organisations which, even in my time, was very ‘avant garde’. I myself was editor of ‘MURMUR’ and Officer in charge of Medical Education, and was the founder of the Standing Committee on Reproductive Health. This year will be even more special as the International Federation of Medical Students’ Association (IFMSA), will be organising one of its General Assemblies in Malta next March, which will see our medical school, and especially MMSA, host over 1000 medical students from all over the world. However, do not forget to study hard…. I mean, really hard. What is also different from your previous student days is that as a medical student, and a future doctor, you really never stop learning. Indeed this course lasts (only) 5 years, and you will be very relieved at the end of it to receive your medical degree. However, that is only the beginning. A good professional doctor is one who continues studying and keeping abreast with current evidence. So, you really should be open for learning all your life, and your tutors include not only your medical seniors, but indeed even your paramedical colleagues and patients. Although you will hopefully eventually have more knowledge than your average patients in terms of academia, it is your patients who are your best tutors in terms of dealing with true life issues. If you have the humility to accept that you are always ready to listen and learn, then you are on the right track of being a very good doctor. And irrespective of how popular, stressed or tired you may be, when dealing with colleagues and above all patients, always put yourselves in their shoes, and treat them with due respect, like you would want yourself or someone close to you to be treated by a doctor. So hail to our new fresh medical students! Welcome aboard! We are here to help you achieve your dreams and nurture your talents, but now it’s up to you to pull up your socks and work for it!

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I would like to welcome you to the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry. Illnesses and diseases are caused when normal physiological and biochemical mechanisms are deranged either due to abnormal anatomical and histological changes or biochemical ones. Thus the study of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry shall form the basis of your future clinical studies. Though traditionally these subjects were studied as standalone topics, the modern approach that has been adopted by the University of Malta Medical School, is that of integrating these subjects together with pathology and pharmacology, thus introducing an integrated approach to the study of organs and functions. To reach such an aim, small group teaching with a critical thinking approach has become the fulcrum in this integrated approach. Though this has produced a more interesting course, it has also produced a number of questions and difficulties amongst first year medical students such as “How many hours should I study per day?” and “What topic or area should I emphasise more upon?” Though difficult to answer, I would like to put forward some important points for your consideration: • Studying is a continuous process and not to be crammed in the last 3 or 4 weeks before the exams. Aim to do some studying on a daily basis, even if this constitutes revising notes from the day’s lectures. • Use imagery and colours to illustrate and understand complex mechanisms.

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Welcome and congratulations on being here!

www.mmsa.org.mt

Prof. Christian Scerri

Head of Physiology and Biochemistry Department

• Use notes and comments in the margins when you highlight the text. This reduces the need to re-read the whole text when you revise. • Prepare a timeframe and deadlines so as to reach your expected goals. • Talk about what you learn. Your companion might be your pet or your computer but the best would be your friends as debates and discussions can provide you with a different outlook to the problem. • Take regular breaks – watch a film, play a computer game – as long as the break is no longer than your study time! Finally, one of the secrets of being a good clinician is being a good team player. Interact with your colleagues, assist and help each other and overall you are not competing in a race; all of you can make it to the finish line. Congratulations to all. It’s truly wonderful to have you here!

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Freshers’ Booklet 2015 .........................................................................................................................................................

Vice President for External Affairs

A week or so before my third year medicine finals I realised that one day soon, I will be a doctor. Me… the girl whose idea of dinner is cereal and crisps… Let that sink in. We’re all here to become doctors, and that realisation, while very much delayed, has allowed me to appreciate every single thing that I have been given during the past 3 years; the knowledge from my superiors, the friends that have bugged me to study and the MMSA along with all the international and national opportunities that it has presented me with. My role as Vice President for external affairs is firstly to assist the other people on the executive board with the smooth running of our organisation. My other roles include representing the MMSA during meetings with externals and on an international level. I also search for and bring international opportunities closer to the MMSA members. Furthermore I am always available should any medical student require any help, whether it is with their participation within MMSA events or studying. Being a medical student and a member of the MMSA has changed me. This experience obviously isn’t the same for all of us, and while some students feel that they are too busy with studying to take part in MMSA events, I feel that by participating and coordinating such events I have gained so 12

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Victoria Camilleri

much. Through my work with the MMSA I have become more confident and aware of my strengths and weaknesses. The MMSA also gives students the opportunity to realise what they’re passionate about. Having previously been the Sexual and Reproductive Health officer, I was given the opportunity to work hard for something that I truly believe in, such as holistic and positively effective sexual health education. Thus I urge you to take part and challenge yourselves; by doing so you gain so much more from the organisation. The most important things that I’ve learnt as a student are funnily enough also from the ending statements of Grey’s Anatomy episodes. The first: Never be afraid to try new things, if you try something such as taking blood enough times, it will no longer be new. Second: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, as cliché as this sounds, this is the time to make and learn from your mistakes. Thirdly, and I think this is the most important: Trust yourself, learn and study so that your gut feeling is the right feeling… well… most of the time. I would like to wish you the best of luck in all that you do. Should you have any questions, feel free to ask. We are here to help each other. And remember first year is all about learning, learning what you’re good at, learning how to study and learning how to be a medical student.

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You have embarked on a new journey that may not always be easy but you will rise to the challenges and reap the rewards. You are in for an exciting adventure that will shape your behaviour and personality. I am a third year medical student and I have been an active MMSA member from the very early days of my studies. I was encouraged by my friends and MMSA members to become involved in the organisation and I do not regret this decision. Being part of MMSA allowed me to strike a balance between my studies and my social life. Moreover, MMSA has enriched me with many experiences and in a relatively short time I had the opportunity to meet many people from different walks of life. Being a medical student should not limit your aspirations and although studying is the core activity during this journey, you should grab all the opportunities that will come your way. Here is where MMSA plays a fundamental role. MMSA will provide you with many opportunities that will help you grow and it will broaden your perspectives. MMSA is YOUR association! I am honoured to be your Vice President for Internal Affairs. My role deals with the internal administration of the MMSA and I am primarily responsible to liaise closely with members on the Board of Directors. However, “an organisation, no matter how well designed, is only as good as the people who live and work in it” (Dee Hock). It is my

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Welcome on board!

www.mmsa.org.mt

Gerd Xuereb

Vice President for Internal Affairs

vision to see you all participate, in one way or another, in MMSA’s operations and projects. The Malta Medical Students’ Association is already a strong organisation, nevertheless, should we all contribute it will continue to grow. Joining the MMSA family will be a decision that opens windows of opportunities that bring to life many dreams that await to be realised. You will know no boundaries as the MMSA experience may take you around the globe. Now it’s up to you to either count the days or make the days count!! I look forward to meeting you all!

Favourite Inspirational Quote:

“An organisation, no matter how well designed, is only as good as the people who live and work in it”

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Secretary General

Hi All! You see, hard work really pays off because you all made it into medicine and you’re going to embark on this journey towards your final destination: that of becoming a doctor :) Having been in your shoes less than two years ago, I remember exactly what you’re feeling right now. Happy, confused, excited; a whirlwind of contrasting emotions. I must admit, there are going to be times where it’s going to be hard but there are going to be other times where you’re going to have the time of your life! The skills and experience you gain from forming part of the MMSA will strengthen your character and soon enough you’ll realize that being a good doctor, requires way more than good results! Personally, being an active member within MMSA and coordinating a number of events gave me a sense of fulfillment. It took my mind off things, it taught me how to manage my time better and most of all it helped me make new friends from all years of the medical course :) MMSA gave me a sense of belonging. 14

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Bernice Farrugia

My main role as Secretary General is being the legal representative of the association, setting up and taking meeting minutes amongst other things. However, I must admit, that the best part of this experience is organizing the Training and Resource Development (TRD) seminar which is well underway with regards to preparations! I invite you all to make the most of this seminar, have fun, learn new things, discover MMSA and prepare yourself for new beginnings! I advise you to firstly keep calm because a lot of information is being thrown your way which may be overwhelming. Take a few weeks to settle in and develop your own study system. With regards to MMSA, start participating in events from the very start! Don’t be hesitant to ask questions and pitch in ideas. At the end of the day, always aim to stay positive and do whatever makes you happy in life. I really look forward to meeting you and getting to know you all during Fresher’s week and TRD :)

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First of all welcome! You are at the start of a new, yet beautiful journey, and it’s the first step towards your future career. The medical course is hard yet undoubtedly enjoyable if you involve yourself within MMSA. Just remember that life is what you make it, and you have the chance to make the next five years truly unforgettable. I started involving myself in MMSA from the very beginning. I still remember my first event on university campus where I checked blood pressures and performed blood glucose tests. I went to a lot of events from all standing committees during my first year. Last year I was elected as Electives Officer and now I am this term’s Treasurer. My role as a Treasurer is quite straightforward; I deal with and keep track of all the finances of MMSA as well as how much each standing committee is spending. I am also in charge of sponsorships and merchandise. I strongly encourage you all to participate within MMSA. I am sure that each and every one of you can find something that you are passionate about doing within MMSA. Participating in the MMSA will help you make new friends, strengthen already existing friendships and will teach you new skills which textbooks can never teach you.

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Dear Freshers,

www.mmsa.org.mt

Matthew Pizzuto

Treasurer

Ultimately your friends of today will become your colleagues of tomorrow. MMSA will become your second family where you can enjoy yourself and share special moments. Keeping up with studying is challenging, however, just remember that everybody is in the same boat as you, and if past students did it, so can you! Focusing just on studies is extremely frustrating; hence it’s important to have a hobby which you practice or do during breaks from study to concentrate your mind on other things. It might be a bit overwhelming at first but don’t worry, after a few weeks you will all be on track with your studies. Good luck and I look forward to meeting you all!

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Professional & Research Exchange Officer - Incomings

Hi Freshers! Congratulations you made it! This year will change the rest of your life! I am the PREO-IN. What does that stand for? It means Professional and Research Exchange Officer - Incomings. My main duty is to organise the accomodation of foreign students who come on an exchange here in Malta. By being this year’s PREO-IN I broadened my mind about foreign cultures. I also got to know some very interesting facts about opportunities offered to us during exchanges in foreign countries. I shall remember Summer 2015 for the rest of my life because of the experiences I have gained from this role! I participated in various activities such as Abseiling and Sea Level Traversing, Ziplining, Scuba Diving, Kayaking, Snorkeling and participated in the well known Mdina Treasure Hunt amongst other fun activities. During my Nursing course I applied for an Eramus Exchange in Finland. It was the best time of my life! We got to travel to various countries: Russia, Estonia, Lapland, Sweden and 16

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Madeleine Bonnici

Norway to mention a few. Back then, I didn’t involve myself in MHSA and I regretted it. Thus after my amazing experience abroad, I wanted to be part of the programme of Exchanges in Malta in order to keep setting the bar higher and make their stay here awesome! MMSA makes our University years exciting and memorable. Nobody remembers the nights they stayed in studying. Through MMSA I made a lot of friends and attended various activities which were a great learning experience such as Teddy Bear Hospital and other activites which were very fun such as the TRD Weekend and the MMSA Ball. MMSA provides us with a great opportunity to live our youth to the full! Social life is a must, but unfortunately we have to make time for studying too. The key is time management, keep a clock beside you to monitor the time spent actually studying and the time you spent browsing on FB ;) I look forward to meeting you all!

Favourite Inspirational Quote:

“‘Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

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All the hard work has finally paid off – congratulations for making it to medical school! It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome you all to the MMSA. As you might already know, the medical course is no walk in the park, however, the MMSA is here to help and guide you through the next five years of your life. Our association forms part of a much bigger international family of medical students – the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA). Medical students attending the University of Malta are provided with the opportunity to go abroad on clinical or research exchanges through the IFMSA exchange programme. Exchanges grant students a chance to explore medicine from a new angle in the context of a different culture, while also providing them with the opportunity to further their medical education and personal skills in institutions abroad. The Standing Committee on Professional Exchanges (SCOPE) is in charge of those students who opt for a professional (clinical) exchange in any one of the hospital departments available in the desired country of exchange. Similarly, the Standing Committee on Research Exchanges (SCORE) handles those students who would rather be part of a research project in one of the various fields of

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Dear Freshers,

www.mmsa.org.mt

Gianluca Fava

Professional & Research Exchange Officer - Outgoings

medicine. In our association, these standing committees are taken care of jointly by Madeleine (on the opposite page) and me, however, I am responsible for the outgoing students while she deals with the incoming students. I would strongly recommend going on a summer exchange during these five years. Applications are out in December, so make sure to look out for (and read) the MMSA News! Exchanges are allocated to students on the basis of a fully transparent points system, in which points are awarded to students in proportion to their participation within the MMSA. Having said that, getting involved and participating in the various events organised by the MMSA throughout the year is truly fun and satisfying, hence points should not be the main focus. I wish you all the best of luck for this coming year!

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Medical Education Officer

Hello Freshers! Congrats on making it into Medical School and welcome to the family. You’re probably overwhelmed by information and people telling you what to study and how much to study. If I can give you one piece of advice it would be this: “Don’t worry”, the hardest part of Medical School is getting in, and now you’re in. I’m not saying sit back and relax, and I’m not saying it will be easy. What I am saying is that definitely YOU CAN DO IT! The one important thing in Medical School is this: find your friends and don’t drop everything in your life, because if all you do is study you’ll go crazy. Apart from that your support system is always going to be important. This is where MMSA comes in for me. The number of friends I have found in MMSA and the experiences that MMSA has given me will always be one of the highlights of medical school. So get involved! Trust me you won’t regret it. Just to introduce myself, my name is Paul, and I am the Medical Education Officer for this year, and basically that means I’m in charge of helping you guys through the year, by organising events that fill in the gaps in the curriculum etc. 18

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Paul Cassar

Long story short, if there’s anything to do with your education that you need help with, or think needs to change, or you just want to talk; I’m your guy :) While we’re on the topic - Make sure to visit our Book Fair! We can help you out with advice on what books you need and what to buy, and even give you some great deals on 2nd hand books. So to conclude: Welcome to the next part of your journey! The road will be long, and it will be tiring, but you don’t need to walk it alone – there are many people ready to walk it with you. So feel free to ask for advice or help, and welcome home.

Study Tip: Plan your time well – Just because you’re a medical student now it doesn’t mean you have to wave your hobbies goodbye; in fact, they’re what keep most of us sane! During most of the year, leaving a couple of hours every day for revision and preparing for CTS’s and tutorials will be enough. You might want to consider increasing your study time to about 4 or more hours per day as exams start approaching. Just make sure you spare some time for your favourite activity, regardless of whether that is gym, singing, dancing, reading…or playing Fallout 4. (Author: Denise Said)

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This course is said to be one of the toughest, if not the toughest, and I would be lying if I said that at times it is not challenging. However every second of it is definitely worth it. One of the most important things to help you deal with this course is time management and every individual has to find his or her own way of planning. Don’t try to copy someone else’s timetable because that will never work. Good time management enables you to have time for all your studies, hobbies and quality time with family and friends. This won’t be easy at first but eventually you will always manage. In my timetable I have always managed to allocate time to work within MMSA. Our association has given me a lot throughout these years. Every year since my first year as a medical student, I have been working within MMSA to raise awareness on multiple issues. Everyone discovers their own place in MMSA; I found mine in SCORA. SCORA is the Standing Committee on Sexual and Reproductive Health (including AIDS and HIV). As a team we strive to make changes in our society concerning different issues including stigma due to HIV or different sexual orientations, peer education on sexual health in schools, educating the public on consent and coercion, gender

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This year’s SCORA Team would like to gladly welcome all the new medical students who are starting this amazing journey.

www.mmsa.org.mt

Maria Christina Tabone

Sexual & Reproductive Health Officer

people in the prevention of certain health problems. By educating the public, we could make a real change while certainly attaining useful competences and standards in the process. By being an active student and involving yourself in activities organized by MMSA, you will definitely learn and make great advances both in your personal life as well as in your medical career. So, how about jotting down some “making a change” in your timetable this year? Study tip: Never panic. Panic will stop you from thinking. Therefore panic is just a waste of time!

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Public Health Officer

Welcome to medical school! I can sometimes still feel the thrill of receiving my results two years ago confirming that I am going to be a medical student. Your hard work has truly paid off and you are now ready to start the first steps of your medical careers! As MMSA’s Public Health Officer, my responsibility is to lead the Standing Committee on Public Health (SCOPH). SCOPH’s aim is two-fold: to educate the general public about the most common diseases which are present in the Maltese Islands, and to empower the public to lead a healthier lifestyle, in order to prevent these diseases from manifesting themselves. As future health professionals, we have the responsibility to safeguard the well-being of the general public and we don’t have to wait to obtain our degree before doing so! SCOPH organizes several activities throughout the year, such as free blood glucose checks, blood pressure checks and BMI testing to make the public aware of their own health, whilst also giving relevant information and advice about different diseases which are prevalent in the Maltese Islands. The MMSA has been a wonderful journey for me so far. It has welcomed me since when I entered medical school, 20

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Jordy Borg

and helped me grow and become a different person when compared to who I was 2 years ago. Moreover, it has taken me several places and given me countless memories to cherish...and I am not even halfway there! Being involved in the MMSA is something I would handsdown recommend. In such a vast organization, there is surely a place for you in which you can discover your potential and unravel capacities you never dreamt of having before. You must have already heard by now how stressful medical school may be, but with the right balance of studying and involvement in the MMSA, you may achieve a holistic education that will make you a better doctor in a way that no book on its own may teach you. Should you require anything, be it help in managing with your studies or more information about SCOPH or MMSA, do not hesitate to contact me on Facebook or via email on scoph@mmsa.org.mt. I hope to meet you all in person very soon! Until then, good luck with your studies!

Favourite Inspirational Quote:

“Try not to be a man of success but a man of value”

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All your hard work has paid off! Congratulations on making it to medical school! Lectures, CTSs, MMSA events, studying, finding your way around campus...all these things might seem daunting to keep up with for most first years. In reality, all it takes is getting used to. Try and ask a 2nd year student or upwards to help you out and how they had gone about balancing everything. However, in order to make the most out of the course, I greatly encourage you to involve yourself in all of the opportunities around you. Don’t focus all your efforts on your studies, thinking that you do not have enough time for anything else. Instead grasp as many opportunities around you as possible, including as many MMSA events as you can. These will all help to mould you into more of an all-rounder as a person as well as a doctor. I am a fourth year medical student and the Human Rights and Peace Officer for this year. This means that I am in charge of SCORP (Standing Committee of Human Rights and Peace). So many acronyms!! Basically SCORP is all about standing up for those minorities in our society who are deprived of basic human rights or groups which are marginalized in society. We design campaigns and participate in national events that promote human rights and peace. These campaigns include, World Human Rights Day, World Children’s Day, etc. SCORP also provides

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Dear Freshers,

www.mmsa.org.mt

Sarah Xuereb

Human Rights & Peace Officer

opportunities for medical students to do voluntary work. Most of us have set out to choose this course because of our drive to help others. SCORP provides the opportunity to start helping from the get go, from now! Therefore I greatly encourage you to participate in many of these events, not only to help others, but as we all know, the benefits you obtain as a volunteer are far greater! In the mean time I welcome you to join this big MMSA family. If you would like to start grasping opportunities from now, I encourage you to join us for SCORP Weekend which will be held on the 20th – 22nd November, to learn more about what SCORP is all about, voluntary work, training sessions and to start getting involved in MMSA. See you there!

Favourite Inspirational Quote:

“Life starts at the end of your comfort zone”

Freshers’ Booklet 2015 .........................................................................................................................................................

Peer Education & Training Officer

Dear Freshers, Welcome to Med School! When you enroll in Malta’s medical course, you actually reel in a ‘buy one get one free’ package, as you automatically form part of MMSA. In Malta everyone loves a special offer, but this time, it isn’t a trip to LIDL, but a means of making your medical journey more fulfilling, enjoyable as well as rich in experience and opportunities. I have always imagined myself in a medical career, since I was just a kid, but I also found the prospect of teaching very attractive and tempting. Hence, when three years ago I became part of the MMSA and was introduced to SCOPET, I realised that I can do both and fulfill the principle that I’m most passionate about – educating younger generations about the most important and relevant health-related issues, to instill better practices and craft better lifestyles. In simple lingo, the act of passing on our knowledge to our equals is called peer education. Why do we take the trouble to do this? It’s simple, really; all the knowledge we gain from our education is useless if it is not passed on to the next generations, for them to use it to enhance their quality of life and that of the people around them.

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Karl Bonello

Peer education sessions within the MMSA take place throughout the year, booked and coordinated in a way to involve numerous institutions around the island by my team. More MMSA members then form part of our team when it comes to actually delivering these sessions because we need your help. You make these sessions happen! – So what should you do? 1. Contact us on scopet@mmsa.org.mt to form part of our mail server 2. Look out for any calls we send 3. Apply to deliver the sessions, following the instructions in the e-mail 4. Enjoy, spread the word and participate again! If in any case you are unsure about how to approach any of the sessions, or feel you are not up for it as yet, we’ve got you covered too: Peer Education Weekend! This event is held in December and will teach you the ropes in successful peer education. Until then, it is our pleasure to give you some helpful tips if you wish to participate earlier. You are about to commence into the most stressful yet rewarding phase of your education. It doesn’t have to be solely about the textbooks and exams; being active within the MMSA will make your medical education dynamic, holistic and will endow you with valuable skills that form a better doctor. I hope to see you participating in our events! Hang in there and keep in touch!

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This is where MMSA-leisure comes in. Throughout your time as a medical student we will make sure that your calendar is full of leisure activities to offer a break from your studies during the academic period, and also to stay in contact with your course mates throughout the summer. MMSA-leisure organises numerous events, ranging from relaxed BBQ gatherings to booze-filled Rave parties! Throughout the summer the events include pool parties and boat parties amongst others. During winter-time the parties only get wilder, with the famous TRD parties being the highlight of the first term of studies and the prestigious medicine ball – Il-Ballu! – closing the academic year on the right note. Apart from all the above, we also plan out football tournaments and camping in collaboration with other MMSA subcommittees. MMSA-leisure is an important branch within the organisation for a number of reasons. As already mentioned, our role is fundamental in providing the students with leisurely events in which they may get to know each other and also spend their free time. Apart from this, through the little profit that is made from the events mentioned above, we can increase the popularity of MMSA hence enhancing the exposure of our health promotion campaigns and also increasing the funds available to organise such campaigns.

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On looking back at the five years spent in med school you will have memories not only about all the nights you spent studying and all the books you have read, but you will also have memories which you’ll cherish much more.

www.mmsa.org.mt

Samuel Attard

Leisure Officer

With such a purpose being the foundation of our motivation, I can only say that the amount of team work found within MMSA-leisure is incredible. MMSA-leisure is not only about carrying boxes and preparing the venue on the day! Every member is important in the planning of the event with each and every single idea having the potential of making an event exceptional. Throughout the upcoming year our focus will be on the #JustLeisure project, which you will get to know more over the coming months. To get involved in this project or simply form part of the leisure-family please contact anyone from MMSA-leisure. We look forward to meeting you!

Study Tip: Take frequent breaks! – Some days will be especially busy, with several lectures and group sessions crammed in one day. On days like these, use what time you have left to give your mind a rest, put studying aside and have some fun. Later, during those long hours of pre-exam studying, make sure to take a break now and then to keep your wits about and to ward off burnout. (Author: Denise Said)

Freshers’ Booklet 2015 .........................................................................................................................................................

Electives Officer

INSANE? For joining what is probably the most challenging course on campus. Trust me, you are not! CONGRATULATIONS on making it to medical school. Imagine yourself being thrown in a raging storm in the middle of the ocean. Everything around you is pitch black, rain thundering down above you and the wind rushing and howling from every direction. The sea is rough. Gigantic waves keep rocking the small raft, which you are so desperately trying to balance yourself on, back and forth. You are nervous, anxious and lost. (Sorry for being dramatic.) I remember feeling like this when I was seated exactly where you are right now two years ago. I was lost. However, among all those emotions, I felt a desire to prove myself. I wanted to battle the storm, to prove that I’m able to achieve anything and everything I set my mind to. MMSA was that raft, which enabled me to battle the storm. MMSA not only offers you a chance to develop your skills both personally and professionally but also offers you the opportunity to make a difference, to leave a mark and to form a part of one of the most prestigious organizations on campus, one which contributed 24

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Bader A. Ali

so much to so many. Among the many things that MMSA offers its members, going on an Elective is probably the most rewarding. It offers you the opportunity to attend one of the top universities and hospitals in the world in basically any country you desire, learn from the best in the field and also forge new friendships, discover new places and learn about different fascinating cultures. (Again sorry for being too dramatic.) Although difficult times may lie ahead, anything can be solved or done if you put your mind to it. Think big, challenge yourselves, set your goals and build your dreams. As Gilbert K. Chesterton once said “There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.” May I welcome you all again and wish you all the very BEST of luck.

Favourite Inspirational Quote:

“There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds”

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Firstly we would like to congratulate you for making it into Medicine and so we welcome you to the MMSA. MMSA is an organisation for the student, by the student. Being one of the most active associations on campus, we host events regularly thus giving our students the opportunity to gain valuable skills which will come in handy throughout their lives. Try and be active members as much as possible and you will find yourselves getting so much back from our Association – new competences, new experiences, new friendships! Make MMSA a part of your lives, your break from the books, your outlet. As SupCo, our job is to overlook the Executive Board and Board of Directors of the MMSA, making sure they always act in the best interest of its members, that all opportunities are distributed fairly, and according to the statute and bylaws. To do so, we must be impartial and objective in all issues which may arise. Right now you’re probably feeling overwhelmed with the amount of information being thrown at you at one go, about everything the MMSA entails, and different aspects of your course. But don’t be discouraged. We were all standing in your shoes a few years ago – lost, thinking ‘What have I got myself into!?’- but you will get the hang of it soon, so just hang in there for now. The MMSA is here to guide and help you after all.

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Hey Freshers! We are Thomas Gatt, Nicole Attard and Ahmad Almass, the Supervising Council (SupCo) of MMSA for the term 2015-2016.

www.mmsa.org.mt

Thomas, Nicole & Ahmad

Supervising Council

Being a medical student is not easy. Far from it. You will find yourselves shamelessly eating Nutella out of the jar at 2AM, wondering how you’re going to manage to pass the exam you have the next day, but we promise, you will! :) Probably our biggest tip would be to manage your time well. Once you learn to do this you can pretty much do whatever you put your mind to. We encourage you to push yourselves past your limits, take on new challenges; don’t be afraid to try new things. Once again MMSA is here to support you. Best wishes on the coming year!

Study Tip: Use free periods between lectures to your advantage – You’ll find out in the coming weeks that the timetable is quite, let’s say, unpredictable. It is a good idea to spend those hours in between lectures studying by using the facilities at IT services, or else by bringing your own book and curling up in a quiet spot to revise. (Author: Denise Said)

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Second Year

Introduction to First Year from the Ex-First Year Welcome to your first year in medical school! You must be tired of hearing it said again, but congratulations for making it! This might come as a surprise to hear it but getting through first year is quite simple and straight forward and does not require carefully organized day by day plans or all-nighters but just some good old common sense. The key is to study hard but smartly and this year will for sure be a successful one. There is no need to spend hours upon hours of studying from the very beginning, just make sure that you have the appropriate notes from the day’s lectures well in order and try not to fall behind on the day’s work. Above all, help each other out! Sharing notes, giving a word of encouragement, a joke or even a smile on a bad day go a long way in making what is a tough course much easier! My most important piece of advice however is not to waste any time. When you are not studying or at university make 26

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Nicholas Fava

sure to try new experiences. This is a time to make memories and mistakes! Make friends! Have fun and do not give up on your hobbies! There will be times when yes, you will be locked inside studying but this should not go on all year round. Finding the proper balance is the key to five memorable and successful years. With regards to MMSA, a short paragraph is not enough to start describing what I have received from it. I can only say that my involvement within this unique organisation has given me experiences that I will cherish forever. I encourage you to talk to active MMSA members and see what area you like, for there is something for everyone within what is without any doubt the best organisation on campus! I look forward to getting to know you all and should you ever need any help do not hesitate to approach me. Best of luck for the coming year!

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www.mmsa.org.mt

Marius Abela

TRD Organising Committee Head TRD Picture?? PICTURES FROM LAST YEAR?

Training and Resources Development (TRD) Weekend During the Training and Resources Development (TRD) Weekend we’ll explain why and how your character will change so much in the coming years. You’ll also get a glimpse of what’s in store for you; what we do as an association and why we do it. By getting into Medical School you’re by default a member of the Malta Medical Students’ Association (MMSA). This organisation will offer you many opportunities to develop skills and go through experiences that the university won’t offer you. TRD is the starting line, it’s the introduction to the marvelous world of student activism and medical student life. TRD is also a tradition for us, more ripe, medical students. A tradition in which we welcome you and start guiding you through this amazing journey that will mature you into a doctor. We want to help you grow into the doctor and person you want to be. TRD is the new beginning you need. It is the ideal introduction to your next chapter in life.

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March Meeting 2016 Grants Coordinator

Kurt Apap Kurt Apap March Meeting 2016 Fundraising Director March Meeting 2016 Fundraising Director

‘Towards a Healthier Society’ Project First of all welcome to our big MMSA family! With over 700 members, one of the main goals of our organisation is to always to serve not only medical students but also the public by increasing health awareness through advocacy and the organisation of events. This year we are kicking it up a notch, by undergoing a massive project in order to try to tackle some of the biggest problems affecting the Maltese youth of today. Financed by an Erasmus+ Grant, we’ve taken no shortcuts to ensure that the project is a success. Titled ‘Towards a Healthier Society’, the project will focus on the problems most commonly associated to youths, mainly relating to sexual behaviours, obesity and inclusion. This project will take the form of five dialogue meetings spaced throughout the first semester which will consist of panel discussions, workshops and interviews and of course all suggestions are welcome and encouraged. The idea behind this project is that together we all have the power to make an actual difference.

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Yvette Farrugia

How are we making a difference by attending you may ask? Well, once all five meetings have been concluded and feedback evaluated, the MMSA will collect all proposals into a publication which will be presented to the authorities. The first of these meetings is right around the corner, spanning over two days on the 1st and 2nd of October, right here on campus! The theme of this dialogue meeting is ‘Promoting Cooperation between Schools, Youth Workers, Health Professionals and Sports Organisations’ as well as containing a workshop to help explain Policy Analysis – something which will definitely come in handy with the upcoming March Meeting 2016! We hope to see you there!

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March Meeting 2016 PR Liaison

March Meeting 2016 Malta First of all congratulations and welcome to medical school. I am sure these next five years will be an awesome experience. During the IFMSA March Meeting which was held in Turkey last year, the Maltese Delegation presented their bid to host the IFMSA March Meeting 2016 in Malta, after months of hard work and preparation. The delegation did an excellent job in promoting Malta and all that it has to offer, allowing them to stand out from the competition and winning the bid, bringing this honour home. The International Federation of Medical Students’ Association, commonly known as IFMSA, is the organisation that represents medical student associations from around the world including MMSA. Twice a year, precisely in March and August, the IFMSA unites these associations and its members for the General Assemblies. A thousand medical students from different countries meet to attend sessions and training workshops in which various global issues like climate change and mental health are discussed. Medical students are also given the opportunity to present activities and projects, discuss ideas, and learn about different cultures. It is during these GAs that experiences and new skills are shared 30

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Stephanie Farrugia

between students, enabling a deeper understanding of what happens in different countries. This knowledge exchange also allows students to try and help improve the world around them not just as future doctors, but as civil beings. Last but not least, GAs are also a great opportunity of meeting new people and building new friendships. Hosting the IFMSA GA is an honour for us and in March 2016 it will be our turn to host this exciting event and unite medical students from more than 100 different countries on our small but beautiful island. What makes this event even more special for us MMSA members is that it will be the 65th IFMSA March Meeting, which will coincide with MMSA’s 65th anniversary since it has been established. This will be a great opportunity to give MMSA and Malta valuable exposure to medical students globally. The start of March Meeting 2016 is in less than 6 months’ time. The MM OC is working extremely hard and preparations are going on at full speed to ensure that everything will be top-notch so that the results will be of excellent quality. Make sure to check out the official March Meeting 2016 Facebook page and be sure to click that like button to be updated on the preparations that are currently going on.

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Dear first years, Welcome aboard! The following is a list of all the books that you might need during your pre-clinical years. Don’t be alarmed! It is a comprehensive list, and that means that you don’t have to buy each and every book, but rather choose the one which you think will suit you best. I will be guiding you with descriptions, tips and suggestions. These books will be your go-to reference at home, your study buddies during free lessons, and your pillow for many long studying nights to come! They are a good investment; but invest wisely. Some of them are conveniently available as ebooks. You should also take the opportunity to visit the medical book fair where you can get these books as second-hand at a much cheaper price and in excellent conditions!

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Gross Anatomy

Snell’s Clinical Anatomy by Regions ISBN: 9781451110326 Gray’s Anatomy for Students ISBN: 9780702051319 Snell’s has a lot of clinical detail, and the clinical boxes will be especially useful for answering CTS cases, while Gray’s is really student friendly has a lot of great diagrams to help you understand the subject matter better.

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First Year Booklist

www.mmsa.org.mt

Jessica Schembri Higgans Public Relations Secretary

• Imaging Atlas Imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy ISBN: 9780723434573 This book is optional. It features the human anatomy as seen and interpreted through different imaging modalities, such as X-Ray, CT-scan and MRI. You will occasionally be asked to interpret a radiograph but this will not be your bread and butter until you reach the clinical years.

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Anatomy Atlas

McMinn’s Clinical Atlas of Human Anatomy ISBN: 9780723436973 Rohen’s Colour Atlas of Anatomy ISBN: 9781609137854 Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy ISBN: 9781451110319 Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy ISBN: 9781455704187

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room and help you make sense of the specimens available. Just one is enough, with McMinn’s and Rohen’s being the most popular choices.

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Histology

Wheather’s Functional Histology ISBN: 9780702047473 This book is optional. I suggest that you do not buy this book immediately, for chances are that the lecture notes will be enough.

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Physiology

Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology ISBN: 9781416045748 Pocket Companion to Guyton & Hall’s Physiology ISBN: 9781416054511 Berne and Levy Physiology ISBN: 9780323045827 Costanzo – Physiology ISBN: 9780781798761 Renal Pathophysiology – The Essentials ISBN: 9781451173383 Israel’s Mechanisms in Haematology ISBN: 9780443074349 32

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The anatomy atlas is an essential that will accompany you to the dissection

Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology ISBN: 9780071780032 Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts (Richard E. Klabunde) ISBN: 9781451113846 Guyton has been around for a long time, the generations before us have used it as a reference book for ages, and this is why it will be the most suggested by your lecturers. However, Costanzo is turning the tables. Being much more student friendly, easy to understand and less pedantic, it is by far the preferred physiology textbook by nowadays’ medical students. Israel’s Mechanisms in Haematology; this is one of those books that your lecturer will make you buy. It is always out of print so you’ll probably be making use of a photocopied version of it. Unfortunately, it is not the nicest read after a full day at university, and if your lecturer suggests other options, do take the opportunity to consider them instead! Therefore hold your horses and wait till the haematology module starts before you go running off with an Israel’s copy in your bag. Although Costanzo covers every topic with regards to the physiology syllabus, I personally found it helpful to have Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts. It is a thin book and easy to read, and helped me to grasp better the concept of the electricity of the heart and the ECG. The ‘test yourself’ sections at the end of each chapter are extremely helpful since they are also very similar to questions you will be asked in the exam!

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Biochemistry

Marks’ Basic Medical Biochemistry: A Clinical Approach ISBN: 9781608315727

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Although your lecturer will probably suggest additional reading from both Marks and Lippincott’s, Lippincott’s is enough, as it covers all the syllabus material without being too detailed.

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Pathology

Muir’s Textbook of Pathology ISBN: 9781444184976 Robbin’s Textbook of Pathology ISBN: 9781437717815 Pocket Companion to Robbin’s & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease ISBN: 9781416054542 Pathology Secrets Third Edition ISBN: 9780323055949 Chances are that the lecture notes will be enough, however if you wish to have a pathology reference book, a personal favourite is Pathology Secrets. It is written in a Q&A format thus providing great model answers for both CTSs and exams. It is an excellent learning tool and will be helpful even in the clinical years.

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Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry ISBN: 9781451175622

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www.mmsa.org.mt

Embryology

Langman’s Medical Embryology ISBN: 9781451144611 Larsen’s Human Embryology ISBN: 9780443068119 Again… the lecture notes will probably be enough, so ask your lecturer before buying any books. However if you do buy a book, Langman’s is the better option.

First Year Studyunits Semester 1

Semester 2

Code

Title

Credits

MDS 1005

Respiratory System

6 ECTS

MDS 1021

Cell Biology and Biochemistry

5 ECTS

MDS 1022

Organisation of the Body

5 ECTS

MDS 1023

Introduction to Clinical Practice 1

2 ECTS

Code

Title

Credits

MDS 1007

Renal System

6 ECTS

MDS 1010

Blood & Body Defence Mechanisms

4 ECTS

MDS 1026

Molecular Biology and Genetics

6 ECTS

MDS 1029

Reproduction

4 ECTS

Code

Title

Credits

Respiratory System

6 ECTS

Cell Biology and Biochemistry

5 ECTS

Organisation of the Body

5 ECTS

Semesters 1 MDS 1004 &2 MDS 1008 MDS 1011

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