On May 20, 2023, the Advanced Training Center for Diagnostic Imaging (AIEC) under the Institute of Health Sciences - VinUni University officially opened and started the first CME (Continuing Medical Education) course. As a systematic collaboration between the Medical School and the Practice Hospital, the Center will be a place to bring practical courses with distinct values, not only helping to improve the capacity of medical staff but also contributing to the change in the quality of diagnostic imaging in Vietnam.

AIEC Center is built according to international standards thanks to the combination of 3 parties: Hospital (Vinmec Healthcare System) - School (VinUni University) - Experts/ World-leading medical equipment (GE Healthcare Vietnam). The close combination has created an advanced training model on the most advanced Diagnostic Imaging, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods that are heavy on theory, light on practice, and lack of systematic data.

By participating in courses at the Center, students will have access to hardware and software systems that are sufficient to ensure that students have the same experience as in a hospital. Students will also be able to read images in the form of original information (DICOM), and practice image processing with PACS tools (medical image archiving and communication system). At the same time, the data used in the course is organized in a structured way, helping students grasp the problem comprehensively, systematically and completely on a specific topic. Theoretical lectures are closely linked to practice, helping students grasp the problem to effectively handle real-life situations in diagnosis and treatment later.

Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Van Giang (Head of the Department of Radiology - VinUni University and Director of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology - Vinmec Healthcare System) said: "Reality requires doctors to continuously update their knowledge and practice to optimize treatment effectiveness. The courses at the Center for Advanced Training in Diagnostic Imaging will help experienced doctors continue to update new knowledge combined with practice on modern, highly practical equipment."

In particular, GE Healthcare will invite to Vietnam leading experts with in-depth experience in specialized fields from major hospitals in the world in the UK, USA, Australia, etc. to directly teach students, and at the same time participate in advanced training for lecturers of Vinmec and VinUniversity. This is a form of technology transfer; lecturers of Vinmec and VinUniversity will have access to professional processes and international teaching standards, thereby proactively implementing CME/CPD courses later, with expected monthly enrollment.

Mr. Pham Hong Son, General Director of GE HealthCare Vietnam said: "The Vietnamese healthcare industry has made great strides in recent years with more and more modern equipment and advanced technology applications. This means that Vietnam is also in great need of a team of experts and medical staff with high expertise, the ability to learn quickly and can keep up with the constant changes of the healthcare industry. The Advanced Education Center for Diagnostic Imaging (AIEC) launched today promises to help improve the quality of healthcare human resources, bringing great opportunities for Vietnam's healthcare in the future and GE HealthCare is proud to be a part of that journey."

According to the cooperation plan between the three parties, the Advanced Diagnostic Imaging courses are expected to train about 200-300 domestic and international students each year. After the first course on Magnetic Resonance of the Joint, the Center will also organize courses related to the fields of oncology, cardiology, etc. Immediately after completing the course, students will be granted a certificate of continuing education (CME) in diagnostic imaging and will be able to practice advanced skills proficiently to apply in daily practical work.

Dr. Le Mai Lan – Chairman of VinUni University Council shared: “The establishment of AIEC marks an important milestone for VinUni’s strategy of developing academic capacity in the field of Smart Health. The AIEC model is a typical model of innovation in training at VinUni: the program follows international standards, has connections with global experts, uses big data and is highly practical.”

The first CME course on Musculoskeletal Magnetic Resonance has attracted a large number of domestic and international students to register. However, to ensure the quality of teaching and practice, all courses under the Center for Advanced Training in Diagnostic Imaging will only enroll a maximum of 30 students. In addition to the field of Diagnostic Imaging, Vinmec will also cooperate with the Institute of Health Sciences - VinUni University in a long-term continuous training strategy on Emergency, Resuscitation, Surgery, etc., aiming to improve the overall quality of the Vietnamese medical industry.

PV