Senior researchers and clinicians from OUCRU, University Hospital Southampton and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust provided trainings on a wide range of topics, including managing severe septic shock, the role of micronutrients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The program also explored ways to prevent stomach ulcers, the use of blood thinners to prevent clots, and the best way to use blood products in the ICU.
Associate Professor Louise Thwaites, Clinical Research Fellow at OUCRU, highlighted: “This is a valuable training program that we hope to continue and expand in the coming years. Providing continuing education opportunities for healthcare professionals in Vietnam is the best way to ensure they have the latest knowledge and skills to provide optimal care to critically ill patients, ultimately improving patient outcomes.”
“It was an honor to be part of the ICU training,” shared Associate Professor Cathrine A. McKenzie from the University of Southampton, who joined the program as a trainer this year. “I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my expertise on medication use in the ICU and connecting with colleagues from various disciplines, especially the clinical pharmacists. It was a truly amazing experience.”
The training attracted approximately 150 participants attending in person and another 150 joining online. This hybrid format ensured that healthcare professionals from diverse locations could benefit from the program. Notably, clinical pharmacists were included in the training for the first time, signifying an expansion of the program’s reach and impact.
Similar to last year’s program, the training incorporated ward rounds at both the Hospital for Tropical Diseases and 115 People’s Hospital, providing participants with valuable practical experience.
Further enhancing its practical relevance, the sessions also covered vital aspects of intensive care, such as how to manage heart failure and low urine output in critically ill patients. Experts also discussed how the body processes medications in critically ill patients, the complex relationship between the brain and hormone production in critical illness and explored strategies for enhancing the quality of care and improving outcomes in the ICU. Finally, the training also emphasized the crucial role of pharmacists specializing in intensive care and responsible antibiotic use.
“This ICU training program has been an invaluable experience,” commented Mr. Dang Pham Xuan Cuong, a clinical pharmacist at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases. “I’ve gained new perspectives on patient care, especially understanding how a patient’s condition can influence drug effectiveness and how to best use antibiotics in the ICU. Programs like this are vital for clinical pharmacists; they foster collaboration and the exchange of ideas, ultimately driving progress in our field.”
“This year’s program was a significant improvement on last year’s in many ways,” observed Dr. Nguyen Hong Truong, a lecturer at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, a return participant. “The topics were more practical and diverse, there was a higher level of interest and engagement, and the logistics were excellent.”
The program is funded by Dragon Capital Group and is part of a long-standing collaboration between OUCRU and Guy’s and St Thomas’, which has been ongoing since 2014. Thanks to the ongoing partnerships, OUCRU aims to empower healthcare professionals to improve patient care and contribute to enhancing the capacity and quality of intensive care in Vietnam.
