Interviewee: Iulia Vadan, Neurologist, RoNeuro Institute for Neurological Research and Diagnostic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interviewer: Stefana-Andrada Dobran
We are pleased to share our interview featuring Dr. Iulia Vadan, a valued member of the Romanian delegation who participated in the inaugural Neurotrauma Treatment Simulation Center (NTSC) held in Vienna, Austria, from May 16 to May 20, 2022.
The NTSC is a pioneering hands-on initiative, spotlighting the significance of a multidisciplinary framework in neurotrauma care. Its overarching vision strives to reshape the treatment landscape by shifting the paradigm from short-term focus to comprehensive, long-term follow-up strategies.
Dr. Iulia Vadan has maintained a research focus on neurotrauma throughout her career as a neurologist. During the interview, she emphasized the significance of the PRESENT Registry, an innovative initiative focused on advancing the understanding of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and enhancing neurotrauma care nationally and internationally. Dr. Iulia Vadan also highlighted her involvement in other projects centered around neurotrauma, such as the CAPTAIN trials for TBI. During our conversation, she expressed some concerns with neurotrauma management in Romania and at an international level while acknowledging the efforts made by countries to ensure the well-being of patients. One notable suggestion put forward by dr. Vadan was the establishment of a national TBI registry.
Furthermore, she illustrated examples of good practice from her institution, highlighting the importance of collaborative approaches among specialists involved in the neurotrauma patient pathway, and delved into difficulties faced by Romania with regard to neurological treatment and research, especially the fragmented distribution of clinics throughout the city, which impacts timely patient care. When discussing innovative avenues for neurotrauma treatment, biomarkers and increased focus on neurorehabilitation emerged as main themes. Moreover, the absence of post-traumatic brain injury complications was highlighted as a key indicator in neurotrauma care and the image of the ideal multidisciplinary neurotrauma team emerged as comprising neurologists, neurosurgeons, ICU personnel, and neurorehabilitation specialists, all working together to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Addressing collaboration challenges within teams, she identified time constraints due to emergencies and the need to oversee various cases. She dissected strengths and weaknesses in neurotrauma research, highlighting the growing significance of biomarker-focused investigations and the burgeoning attention on neurorehabilitation. Dr. Vadan discussed the role of online communities in uniting neurotrauma specialists globally and shared her involvement with AMN Congresses. Finally, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on neurotrauma management was approached, showcasing the issues of delayed treatment and diagnoses for patients.
For more information about NTSC 2022, visit https://brain-amn.org/event/ntsc-2022/.
We kindly invite you to browse our Interview category https://brain-amn.org/category/interviews/. You will surely find a cluster of informative discussions with different specialists in the field of neurotrauma.
