This year, we had the opportunity to undertake academic mobility training in nuclear medicine at Gaziantep University (GAUN) in Gaziantep, Turkey. It is one of the leading universities in the region with an advanced educational and scientific base.
The healthcare system in Turkey differs from the Kazakhstani system in several ways. In Kazakhstan, oncology centers and outpatient clinics operate separately, while in Turkey all services — diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up — are concentrated in a single institution. The residency duration in Radiology is 2 years in Kazakhstan, whereas it is 5 years in Turkey. Local residents independently interpret 15–20 studies per day, monitor patients, and actively participate in treatment processes. Radiologists in nuclear medicine departments both diagnose and treat patients, giving them extensive practice.
The first week of training was introductory: we were acquainted with the department, main areas of work, and the organization of diagnostic and treatment processes. From the second week, we began interpreting diagnostic studies and attended weekly interdisciplinary meetings held on Mondays.
The workday started at 8:00 o`clock and ended at 18:00 o`clock. According to the schedule, we rotated across different diagnostic areas: one worked in the scintigraphy room, another in PET-CT. This approach provided comprehensive understanding and practical skills in nuclear diagnostic methods.
During the training, we visited the university’s research center, which houses a cyclotron — a modern facility for producing radionuclides used in PET diagnostics and radiopharmaceuticals. Its presence highlights the university’s scientific and technological potential and its commitment to integrating fundamental science with clinical medicine.
Our mentors demonstrated high professionalism, goodwill, and readiness to share experience. With them, we discussed not only practical aspects but also a wide range of professional and interdisciplinary issues — all of which motivated and inspired us.
Turkey is known for its hospitality and rich cultural heritage. We were warmly welcomed by our colleagues: they invited us to joint breakfasts, accompanied us during sightseeing trips, and showed genuine hospitality. This made our internship not only professionally valuable but also culturally enriching.
We express our sincere gratitude to the Rector of KazNMU, Marat Edigeuly Shoranov, the university leadership, the Faculty of Postgraduate Education, and our Department of Visual Diagnostics for supporting young specialists and providing the opportunity to participate in international academic mobility programs.
We are confident that if a person truly loves their profession, no obstacles are insurmountable. Medicine is a field that requires lifelong learning. Therefore, we believe it is important not to fear new challenges, strive for experience, improve skills, and move forward with the modern world of medicine.
