Experience Report and Recommendation: Professional Continuing Education Training at Semmelweis University

On 18–19 June 2026, a professional continuing education training course was held at Semmelweis University, focusing primarily on stress and its management.

In Hungary, healthcare professionals are required to participate in a credit-based continuing education system in order to maintain and renew their professional licenses. This system operates in five-year cycles and includes opportunities to attend elective, credit-earning courses relevant to each profession. I had been following the available training opportunities for quite some time, and I am grateful that I was able to enroll in and attend this course at Semmelweis University.

Our main topic was stress and the various ways it can be managed, presented by Associate Professor Dr. János Kollár. Drawing on his extensive experience as a clinical and mental health psychologist, he introduced us to numerous valuable resources that help assess stress levels realistically, such as the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale. He also recommended additional professional literature, films, and books. We gained insight into empathy, burnout, and the underlying mechanisms of anxiety, while also learning relaxation techniques and mindfulness-based exercises.

I would like to share a few thoughts that particularly resonated with me:

• Empathy is not the same as identification.
• In helping professions, empathy means understanding and providing feedback.
• Stress itself is not necessarily the problem; difficulties arise when it remains unmanaged.
• From a modern scientific perspective, healing is a bio-psycho-social-spiritual process.
• Self-awareness and personal development are essential not only in private life but also in professional work and collaboration with others.
• It is important to be aware of our own capacities and expectations.
• It is possible to say "no" respectfully and without causing offense—the value of assertive communication.
• We should appreciate and celebrate everyday small successes, both our own and those of others.
• Our thoughts can be shaped; we can consciously influence the mindset we wish to cultivate.
• A crisis represents both danger and opportunity.
• What is considered "normal" is often culturally dependent.

As I write these lines, even more ideas come to mind. The lectures touched on so many profound topics and perspectives. Among others, we explored mindfulness practices, Wim Hof's cold exposure and breathing techniques for stress management, the power of community, the components of healthy self-esteem, anxiety reduction strategies, and autogenic training.

I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Kollár's work and lectures:
www.drkollarjanos.hu

It was inspiring to see how humor and professional excellence can go hand in hand in teaching. I hope to develop a similar balance in my own professional life over time.

We also received several additional recommendations.

If you feel that you are going through a difficult or emotionally challenging period, it is important to know that you are not alone. The website www.ifightdepression.com aims to provide reliable information about depression, reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, and support the prevention of depression. The website also offers an online self-help program designed for individuals experiencing mild to moderate depression.

Recommended self-help book:
Reneau Z. Peurifoy: Anxiety, Phobias and Panic (Hungarian edition: Medicina, 2010).

Further topics of the training included healthcare legal knowledge. During these sessions, Dr. Ingrid Lengyel, a patient rights representative, introduced us to the work of the Integrated Legal Protection Service. We learned about the challenges faced by patients and healthcare professionals, case management procedures, and the practical operation of the system. It was highly valuable to gain insight into how the organization functions nationwide and what legal considerations should be kept in mind when documenting patient data and initiating healthcare services.

Finally, we refreshed both the theoretical and practical aspects of basic life support according to current international guidelines. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such highly qualified and well-prepared instructors. One never knows when this knowledge may become necessary, and since I fortunately do not use it on a daily basis, it is important to keep these skills up to date.

During this part of the course, we covered the ABCDE approach, SBAR communication, and had the opportunity to practice cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using a semi-automatic defibrillator.

SBAR Communication in Emergency Situations

SBAR is a structured communication method that facilitates the rapid and accurate transfer of information during emergencies. Its use reduces the risk of misunderstandings, improves teamwork, and enhances patient safety.

• S – Situation: What happened? What is the current problem?
• B – Background: What relevant background information is known?
• A – Assessment: What is the patient's current condition and what observations have been made?
• R – Recommendation: What intervention or further action is required?

The ABCDE Approach

The ABCDE approach is a fundamental patient assessment method used in emergency care to identify and manage life-threatening conditions quickly and systematically. It ensures that the most urgent and potentially life-threatening problems are addressed first.

• A – Airway: Assessment and maintenance of a clear airway.
• B – Breathing: Evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of breathing.
• C – Circulation: Assessment of circulation, pulse, blood pressure, and bleeding.
• D – Disability: Evaluation of neurological status, including level of consciousness, pupils, and blood glucose.
• E – Exposure/Environment: Full-body examination for injuries or abnormalities while also considering environmental factors, such as preventing hypothermia.

Conclusion

Overall, the training provided practical and up-to-date knowledge delivered by experienced and well-prepared instructors. I am grateful to have participated alongside more than 100 fellow healthcare professionals.

I am already looking forward to the next opportunity. These events offer a valuable chance to connect with colleagues from different healthcare fields, exchange experiences, and gain inspiration. I also hope to integrate the knowledge I have acquired into my clinical practice, enriching the treatments I provide and continuing to develop professionally.

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