A unique educational project has been launched at Georgianum Grammar School this school year: the new seminar subject "Cardiovascular Medicine" brings medical expertise and health literacy directly into upper school lessons. Sixteen pupils are taking part in the innovative course, which is being run in close cooperation with Bonifatius Hospital in Lingen and under the patronage of the German Heart Foundation.
A unique educational project has been launched at Georgianum Grammar School this school year: the new seminar subject "Cardiovascular Medicine" brings medical expertise and health literacy directly into upper school lessons. Sixteen pupils are taking part in the innovative course, which is being run in close cooperation with Bonifatius Hospital in Lingen and under the patronage of the German Heart Foundation.
The idea arose from a collaboration between Prof. Alexander Pott, chief physician of cardiology at Bonifatius Hospital, OStR Dr Marc-André Kaufhold, head of sports and biology teacher, and OStD Lucas Sieberg, headmaster of Georgianum. The aim of this model subject is to combine school education, medical practice and education about cardiovascular health in a new way.
The seminar subject, which is relevant for exams, is led by OStR Dr Marc-André Kaufhold. There is a particular focus on practical experience: in clinics, rehabilitation centres and cardiac sports groups, participants accompany doctors and nurses in their work. At Bonifatius Hospital, for example, they were able to follow the path of a heart attack patient from the emergency room to the chest pain unit and then to the intensive care unit. After a tour of the left heart catheterisation laboratory, they attended a lecture on the most common cardiovascular diseases.
Practical relevance is also the focus in the classroom: the pupils prepared pig hearts, learned scientific working methods in the so-called "Journal Club" and practised transferring theory into practice for their seminar papers.
The project aims not only at career orientation, but also at health education. Topics such as high blood pressure, nutrition, exercise, stress and risk factors are dealt with in a practical manner. "When young people understand how closely lifestyle and health are linked, they benefit from it throughout their lives," emphasises Prof. Dr. Pott, who personally supervises the project.
The response among the participants has been consistently positive. "We are very interested in medicine and are also training to be school first-aiders," report Helga (17) and Miriam (18). Franz (18) and Kiril (17) are also enthusiastic: "You get exciting insights into the hospital. If you are physically active and want to perform well, you should understand how the heart works as the body's motor."
With this new seminar subject, Georgianum Grammar School is demonstrating how modern education can combine knowledge, practice and responsibility – and inspire young people to take an interest in health, science and social professions.
Text: Bonifatius Hospital, photos: Ulrike Focks