RSU students hold the first Medical Wrestle simulation competition in the Baltics

On 24 March, the first Medical Wrestle simulation championship in the Baltics was held at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU). This event was part of the RSU Research Week programme, developed and organised by RSU 6th-year medical students Aleksandrs Oborins and Rihards Seržāns, with academic and methodological support from their mentor, Assoc. Prof. Oļegs Sabeļņikovs, the RSU Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Clinical Simulations, lecturers and the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre (METC).

‘Competition is an integral part of any major conference. Anaesthesiology, intensive care, paediatrics, gynaecology, and military medicine are all fields where speed, precision, and knowledge are essential. To promote excellence and clinical skills among future doctors, we, RSU students, have fulfilled a long-held dream of organising a medical competition - Medical Wrestle,’ explains Aleksandrs Oborins, the event organiser.

Competition format, stages and organisation

During the Medical Wrestle championship, student teams competed against each other in performing resuscitation measures within simulated emergency scenarios. The competition tested students’ ability to work as a team, communicate effectively, delegate tasks, make quick decisions, carry out necessary procedures, and manage patient treatment. To make the competition as realistic as possible, the organisers had developed a diverse and engaging range of scenarios – from hypothermia and drug overdoses to rescuing reckless skydivers.

The initiative attracted significant interest, drawing both local students and international participants. A total of 10 teams (3-4 participants each) took part in the competition, including five RSU student teams, three teams from the University of Latvia (UL), as well as teams from Estonia and Poland.

The competition ran throughout the day. The qualifying rounds were held at the RSU Main Building and the RSU Study and Research Centre, while the evening finals – in which the top three teams from the original ten competed – took place at the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre.

Guidance from experienced mentors and support team

To ensure the competition was of high quality and ran smoothly, significant support was provided by lead mentor Assoc. Prof. Sabeļņikovs, the RSU Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Clinical Simulations, as well as lecturers Olga Zemļanuhina, Darja Smirnova, Anastasija Dergunova-Zimina, Paula Zviedre, Mārtiņš Saulīte, Mārtiņš Ansons, and Ļubova Minova. Technical support was delivered by the team from the RSU METC.

Dr. Guillem Bouilleau, an emergency physician from France with extensive experience in organising simulation competitions at the European Emergency Medicine Congress (EUSEM SimCup), was invited as an international guest mentor. Together with his colleague, paramedic and simulation technician Mohamed El Ouali, Dr. Bouilleau not only helped maintain the competitive spirit on site but also introduced the PRISM scoring system to the RSU METC team.

‘The standardised PRISM scoring method, used in the annual EUSEM competitions, was also applied during the Medical Wrestle championship. This system is based on “life points” that team members earn by successfully assisting a patient.

It was a great honour and pleasure to be a guest mentor at this event, which I hope will mark the beginning of a new tradition in Latvia,’

Dr. Bouilleau 

The title of champion went to the team from Poland

In a tough battle, the champion title this time went to the team “Baby Doctors” from Poland, the 2nd place went to the RSU student team “1+4=14” and the 3rd place went to the LU team “Lucas”. The organisers of the Medical Wrestle also ensured the well-being of the spectators, providing each visitor and supporter with the opportunity to participate in small CPR competitions, where they performed resuscitation measures on training mannequins. The winners were delighted with educational prizes from sponsors Arbor Medical and Compendium Medicine.

Future perspective: Medical Wrestle as a new annual tradition 

Reflecting on the event, Rihards Seržāns acknowledges the challenges the organisers faced during the planning process – such as creating appropriately challenging scenarios, attracting teams, and engaging international experts – but he believes the outcome was well worth the effort.

‘I saw the spirit of unity, excitement, and genuine joy in the students. With such commitment and interest, we must continue to grow and develop this tradition further!’ 

Rihards Seržāns 

Aleksandrs Oborins adds that he would like to make this an annual tradition. ‘This was not the first attempt to organise a competition of this format; however, this attempt was the most successful! I hope to make Medical Wrestle an annual tradition and collaborate with other European student competitions in the future!’

Ieva Šlēziņa, Director of the RSU METC, also expressed her satisfaction with the event:

‘Such competitions are a fantastic opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience. They also help build an international community of simulation enthusiasts, contributing to the development of medical education and strengthening patient safety.’

More information about the competition can be found: www.medicalwrestle.com