Military medics and civilians build Legion

Who can study to the Legion?

Above all, doctors, paramedics, nurses, pharmacists, or psychologists — but the offer is much wider. We besides invitation medical students, people working in wellness care and volunteers without medical education who are curious in wellness issues and want to get skills useful in crisis situations. Each associate can choose 1 or more engagement paths, tailored to their capabilities.

What forms of participation do you propose?

We have prepared 10 pathways of engagement, which take into account, among others, various experiences, education and availability of participants. They disagree in work and form of participation – from registration without commitment through participation in conferences, expert support to active exercises and training. This allows anyone curious to choose a cooperation model tailored to their capabilities and readiness to act.

How many people have come forward? Who are the volunteers?

Currently we have 660 people on the list, including 533 medics. Among them are 144 paramedics, 99 nurses, 96 doctors and 43 physiotherapists. This interest has exceeded our expectations, and we are now focusing on detailing the training offer for the first participants.

Can you give me more details?

In April, we plan pilot training under the "Not Only Hippocrates" path. Five-day basic training completed by military oath and transfer to the passive reserve will take place in Military Center for Medical Education in Łódź. The first circular will be attended by 20 civilian medics, due to the fact that they are now the largest group of stakeholders. At the same time, we stay open to program modifications if applications from non-medical professionals appear.

What another forms of commitment did volunteers choose?

Over 400 people chose the way “Get ready. Respond. Save”, including Tactical medicine training (TCCC). They supply applicable preparation for assistance in situations of crisis or conflict — competences hard to gain in the civilian system. Of course, erstwhile organising training, we will choice groups in terms of the level and profile of participants — we will not combine doctors with people without medical preparation, for for them the starting point and training needs will be completely different.

There is besides a large interest in the ‘Ready to Help’ way for those who want to support emergency medical measures And on missions outside the country. We already have 200 people in the database for this group. More and more doctors besides choose “Leadership in the Service of Life”, that is, officer courses for reservists. possibly the first can be launched in the second half of the year.

What about the another paths?

For example, “Becoming a Legion Specialist” allows soldiers to reserve passively, developing their qualifications in medical fields, gaining free specialization in MON facilities. We besides address passive reserve soldiers with a way entitled “Report Competences or Ready” that will let them to match their mobilization allocations to actual medical qualifications. As a result, erstwhile they have entered the army for practice, they will be directed to positions that are consistent with their skills.

Among the 10 least obliging paths is the 'Un uniformed Service', intended for those who do not plan to service in the military or to be included in the reserve but who want to stay in contact with the Legion, follow its improvement and possibly participate in selected projects in the future.

You besides mentioned the engagement of experts in the Medical Legion. What function will they gotta play?

Conferences, workshops and discussion panels combining civilian and military experts are planned as part of the ‘Knowledge in dialogue’ path. In turn, “Together we make quality” is simply a space for people active in military medicine advisory, investigation and analytical activities. It already has almost 200 people, including many highly qualified medical and non-medical specialists with technological degrees. Both paths aim to affect experienced professionals who want to share their knowledge.

One of the objectives of the Medical Legion is to integrate military and civilian wellness services. How does that work?

This will be carried out under the "One Mission" path. Joint readiness’, which includes joint training of medics from military and civilian hospitals. Their goal will be to prepare civilian facilities to operate in utmost conditions — with limited resources, shortages of staff, power cuts or disrupted logistics. This will increase the readiness of civilian hospitals to act under crisis conditions, the consequence procedures will be harmonised and staff will be better prepared to work. This way is linked to another task – "Military-friendly hospitals" – education, cognition exchange and emergency preparedness.

The Legion's offer is ready, but how can you be certain that it will match the expectations of those applying? Do you let any modifications to the program?

We are only at the beginning of the road and at this phase we are talking about a certain direction alternatively than a mark solution. Real expectations, needs and motivations of participants will be learned only in direct contact – during trainings, courses and meetings. They will show the direction in which the program should proceed to develop. The large value of the Medical Legion is that the task will be able to evolve with the participation of participants who want to have a real impact on its shape.

Where should I study to join the Legion?

Interested parties may registry by Medical Legion website. Information can besides be obtained in military recruitment centres. Soon, there'll be informants on the show.