Defeat Cystic Fibrosis: A Student project for increasing CF knowledge and helping ill people
By Mikolaj Krzyzanowski, MD; Mikos Marcin; and Wojciech Cichy, MD, PhD

Mikolaj Krzyzanowski, Wojciech Cichy; and Marcin Mikos during CFW meeting in Copenhagen (June 2006) as representatives of Polish CF NGO’s.

For two years, the “Defeat CF” project coordinated by Mikolaj Krzyzanowski and science supervisor Prof. Wojciech Cichy increased knowledge about CF among students of Medical Universities. The project, organized by the International Federation of Medical Students Associations and the Foundation for helping CF Sufferers and their Families allowed medical students and Polish parents to work together towards a common goal - to involved medical students in CF activity and helped people with CF.


History of the project

In July 2003, IFMSA-Poland (a medical students’ organization) in Krotoszyn wanted to help two girls with CF. In September 2003, Prof. Wojciech Cichy and Foundation MATIO decided to collaborate on the project. After two members of IFMSA-Poland attended an Educational Workshops in CF for ill people and their families, IFMSA-Poland decided to organize similar workshops for students at Medical Universities. After many meetings on both the national and local level, “Defeat CF” became one of the largest and most organized projects sponsored by IFMSA-Poland.

IFMSA-Poland presented their project results to other medical students during the IFMSA General Assembly in Macedonia in August 2004. The students worked for two years involving future doctors in CF issues in an effort to raise awareness of CF as a disease that affects patients worldwide. They also directly affected the lives of CF patients.


National Week of CF

Foundation MATIO organizes a social campaign called National Week of CF every year in Poland. This activity draws attention to the problems faced by CF patients and promotes local and national government support of CF sufferers. Activities include press conferences, concerts, leaflets, postcards and TV programs. This campaign informs Polish citizens about CF and the problems faced by CF patients.

IFMSA-Poland helped organize the third annual event by organizing lectures on genetics, patomorphology to gastroenterology, pulmonology, physiotherapy and psychological aspects of the disease. The workshops, attended by 560 people, took place on seven of the eleven Polish Medical Universities. In addition, medical students in three cities offered individual programs. Special tents placed in the main market places in Krakow and Poznan allowed medical students to provide citizens with leaflets about CF. A special Tramcar, covered in CF posters, drove thru Lodz. Riders did not pay for tickets, but were instead provided with CF information and leaflets.

The following year, the social campaign focused on the social problems faced by CF patients. All but one university provided posters and flyers in their Medical buildings. This time CF-tramcars circulated in two cities.

Medical students informing citzens about CF in Cracow

CF knowledge survey

At the end of 2004, medical students from eight of the eleven Medical Universities in Poland participated in a survey. Nine hundred and thirty-six medical students filled out the questionnaires to evaluate their knowledge of CF. Results indicated that while CF knowledge has increased in Poland, the majority of students find information insufficient. Nearly 500 students support increasing CF education and training. The results also showed that both participation in the educative campaign and the presence of CF awareness events increased CF knowledge.


CF consultations

Wroclaw Medical University held consultations for CF patients. Each consultation conducted by a doctor lasted three to four hours. Students helped in examining and taking the medical history of the patients. The consultations were very popular among students and 80% of participants voiced their willingness to participate again.


CF facultative classes

Medical sudent in informational CF tramcar in Lodz

The national CF knowledge study showed that a majority of students wanted to increase their CF knowledge. In response, we applied to start CF classes and in June 2005, Poznan Medical University’s Board agreed to introduce a CF facultative to the program of study for medical students. Doctors from different scientific institutes prepared the first CF facultative classes in Poland. Various institutes taking part in facultative classes assured multidisciplinary view on CF issues. The lectures included: genetics, pediatric pulmonology, gastroenterology, laryngology, adult and psychological aspects of CF. Facultative classes provided lectures about complex treatment and presented information on the Polish CF non-government movement for helping CF people. Fifty medical students attended CF- facultative classes in academic year 2005-2006.


Summary

Two years of active work enabled us to involve many students in CF issues. We truly believe, that increasing the knowledge about CF and involving future doctors in CF activity is one way to improve CF care. Well-educated doctors, who understand that CF is an interdisciplinary disease and perceive not only a patient, but also a human being, will better recognize problems faced by CF patients. We want to inspire new people to help and act in CF care and concern in the future.
Source: M. Krzyzanowski, M. Mikos, W. Cichy. “CF knowledge evaluation among medical students in Poland”. Journal of CF, 2006 vol. 5:114.

Prof. Wojciech Cichy, MD, PhD has worked at the Poznan University of medical sciences for more than 40 years and works with Polish parents in CF-NGO. He became Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Metabolic Diseases in 2005. Dr. Cichy is a co-founder of the European CF Society and founded the CF group in 1992. Dr. Cich can be contacted via email at: cichy@xmail.sk5.am.poznan.pl.

Mikos Marcin is a medical student at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences and has been a member of IFMSA-Poland since November 2004. He was elected president of Pozna½ Local Committee for academic year 2005/2006. He started working on the “Defeat CF” project in January 2005 and coordinated a CF knowledge evaluation of medical students. Mr. Marcin can be contacted via email at: marcin.mikos(at)@gmail.com.

Mikolaj Krzyzanowski, MD graduated in June 2006. He worked with IFMSA-Poland for 4 years and also served as president. He was awarded “Most dynamic developing Committee in IFMSA-Poland.” He presented two of his works at the 6th International Congress of Medical students and Young Doctors in May 2006 and was awarded first and second place. Mr. Krzyzanowski can be contacted via email at: mikolaj.krzyzanowski@gmail.com.