Programme information*
name:
- Psychotherapy
- Sleep and circadian neurophysiology
- Emergency psychiatry and intensive care
- Psychiatric rehabilitation
- Alcoholism and other addictions
- Psychiatric crisis centre
- Child and adolescent psychiatry
*See detailed description of the programmes below
It was a delight to hear and read about experiences of first exchange trainees in Croatia! Hopefully their smiling faces and most encouraging feedback will convince the indecisive ones among you to choose Croatia for their exchange destination! We are waiting for you! :-)
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| Dr. Bridget Hunter from the UK, our first exchange trainee, with the head of Psychiatric clinic "Vrapče", prof. Vlado Jukić |
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| "Wherever I went, I was made very welcome in Croatia. My time was well filled and it was a fantastic experience, which I would heartily recommend." |
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| Dr. Draženka Ostojić, the head of the Emergency psychiatry and intensive care unit in Psychiatric clinic "Vrapče", with our exchange trainee from Romania, dr. Andreea Cristina Cazacu |
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| Marina Fistonić, Andreea Cristina Cazacu and dr. Ilaria Čulo |
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| "...the great hospitality I received from colleagues; all members of staff from the day one I arrived at Zagreb Airport to my emotional departure were remarkable." Dr. Afolabi Ayodele Olowofela, our exchange trainee from Ireland |
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| "I truly advise everyone not to overlook this country’s programmes. Analyze them well and if one suits you try it because you will not regret. After the Croatian experience you will feel like being part of a family." |
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Andreea Cristina Cazacu, dr. Iva Rakoš, Marina Fistonić and Afolabi Olowofela   |
Description of the programmes:
1. name:
Psychotherapy
- Description:
Our Psychiatric Day Hospital programme includes psychodynamic analytic oriented group psychotherapy, psychoeducation, sociotherapy, communication and creative workshops, film therapy and relaxation therapy. The team consists of two psychiatrists, two nurses, an art therapist and one or two psychiatric trainees. We are very happy to welcome foreign trainees in our team.
- city:
Zagreb
- unit / hospital:
- name:
University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Day Hospital
- address, website:
University Hospital Centre Zagreb
Address: Kišpatićeva 12, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
- length:
2-6 weeks (could be adjusted individually)
- periods available:
All year
- requirements:
Each trainee is required to stay with us each day for a minimum of two weeks to fully grasp the concept of our work. We can accept only one person at time, preferable are trainees speaking at least some of Croatian.
- language:
Croatian/English
2. name:
Sleep and circadian neurophysiology
- Description:
The Centre for Sleep was established in 1981 with the aim to diagnose and treat patients that usually fall into a “mixed” category, between psychiatry and neurology (Parkisonism, agitation as side-effect during antipsychotic treatment, psychiatric symptoms in patients with Mb Huntington, Chorea maior/minor, Multiple sclerosis, Wilson disease, epilepsy, frontotemprotal dementias etc.). Our special focus is diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, sleep apnoea, insomnia, somnambulism, REM Behaviour Disorder, Pavor nocturnus. We use polysomnography, specific forms of clinical exploration and non-invasive EEG. The staff includes five psychiatrists and 3 neurologists, seven EEG technicians and seven nurses.
- city:
Zagreb
- unit / hospital:
- name:
Psychiatric clinic Vrapče
- address, website:
Bolnička cesta 32, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
- length:
2-6 weeks (could be adjusted individually)
- periods available:
all year
- requirements:
no special requirements
- language:
Croatian/English
3. name:
Emergency psychiatry and intensive care
- Description:
Department was established in 2003 in a renovated hospital building with the aim to admit
acutely disturbed patients who need acute diagnostics and intensive care. The department consists of:
- Intensive care unit (10 beds, admission of agitated and aggressive patients, the average length of stay is 16 days and if a patient needs prolonged treatment, they would be transferred to one of the departments within the hospital),
- Emergency unit (32 beds, adult patients from all diagnostic entities who are coming to psychiatric treatment for the first time, or those who are agitated and suicidal) and
- First psychosis unit (32 beds, patients aged 18 – 40 years who are experiencing first episode of psychosis and those who are in treatment for less than 3 years. The average length of stay is 45 days. Activities within the department include diagnostics, pharmacological treatment, education, occupational therapy, socio therapy and sports. After being discharged from the hospital, patients continue the treatment in intensive Day care unit, and as outpatients.)
- city:
Zagreb
- unit / hospital:
- name:
Psychiatric clinic Vrapče, Dept. for Diagnostics and Intensive Care
- address, website:
Bolnička cesta 32, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
- length:
2-6 weeks (could be adjusted individually)
- periods available:
all year
- requirements:
no special requirements
- language:
Croatian/English
4. name:
Psychiatric rehabilitation
- Description:
Department was established in 2007 in a newly renovated hospital building and consists of three departments - Department for Treatment of Patients with Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders (40 beds), Department for Treatment of Patients with Affective and Anxiety Disorders (40 beds) and Department for occupational therapy and rehabilitation. Patients treated at these departments come here after being treated (and stabilized) at other departments within the hospital. After being discharged from the department, they are expected to take positions they used to hold in their family and social networks. Some of our activities are group therapy, occupational therapy, morning gymnastics, psychoeducation, social and communication skills therapy, bibliotherapy, film therapy, wellness, breathing exercise etc. The staff consists of four psychiatrists, nurses, psychologist, social worker and a defectologist (educational specialist dealing with children/adults) with disabilities.
- city:
Zagreb
- unit / hospital:
Psychiatric clinic Vrapče, Department for rehabilitation
- address, website:
Bolnička cesta 32, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
- length:
2-6 weeks (could be adjusted individually)
- periods available:
all year
- requirements:
no special requirements
- language:
Croatian/English
- Description:
5. name:
Alcoholism and other addictions
- Description:
The Department for alcoholism was established in 1979, and in 1996 a
special department for drug addicts was annexed. Center for Alcoholism and other
addictions now consists of six units/departments with the total of 72 beds. Treatment
is carried out, after detoxification phase, by sociotherapeutic principles.
Professional team of the department consists of seven psychiatrists (two PhDs),
one psychologist, special education teacher and a social worker, and the
appropriate number of nurses / technicians.
- city:
Zagreb
- unit / hospital:
Psychiatric clinic Vrapče, Department for alcoholism and other addictions
- address, website:
Bolnička cesta 32, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
- length:
2-6 weeks (could be adjusted individually)
- periods available:
all year
- requirements:
no special requirements
- language:
Croatian/English
6. name:
Psychiatric crisis centre
- Description:
Department admits patients who experienced some stressful event and develop adverse psychological reaction. The department consists of inpatient and outpatient facilities. Our hospital and day hospital programme includes psychodynamic analytic oriented group psychotherapy, psychoeducation, sociotherapy and creative workshops. The team consists of two psychiatrists, two nurses, an art therapist and one or two psychiatric trainees.
- city:
Rijeka
- unit / hospital:
- name:
University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Psychiatric Crisis Centre
- address, website:
Krešimirova 42, 51 000 Rijeka, Croatia
- length:
2-6 weeks (could be adjusted individually)
- periods available:
Only from October till end of June each year
- requirements:
no special requirements
- language:
Croatian/English
7. name:
Child and adolescent psychiatry
- Description:
The department was established in 2000 and consists of inpatient (6 beds) and outpatient part (day hospital programmes). The day hospital programmes are adapted to age groups of patients and are combination of group therapy or psychodrama with individual therapy and parents groups. The team consists of three psychiatrists, three nurses, an art therapist, defectologist (educational specialist dealing with children/adults) and one or two psychiatric trainees.
- city:
Rijeka
- unit / hospital:
University Hospital Centre Rijeka, Depf. Of Psychiatry
- address, website:
Krešimirova 42, 51 000 Rijeka, Croatia
- length:
2-6 weeks (could be adjusted individually)
- periods available:
Only from October till end of June each year
- requirements:
no special requirements
- language:
Croatian/English
Travel information
- VISA needed:
No to most European countries, but please check individually
- travel and health insurance needed:
not sure these are mandatory, please check individually
- Accommodation:
we are offering FREE accommodation for all trainees who are participating in programmes which are held at the Psychiatric clinic Vrapče, address: Bolnička cesta 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- With host:
No
Useful websites
Youth Hostel Zagreb - http://www.hfhs.hr/en/hostels/zagreb-youth-hostel-370
Youth Hostel Rijeka - www.hostelworld.com/YouthHostel8
All hostels - http://www.hostelworld.com
CONTACT:
- local coordinator, name and email:
Marina Fistonic
mfistonic@gmail.com
- national/ local trainee organisation website:
