A longstanding issue affecting the clinical training of healthcare students, rather than doctors, came under the spotlight during discussions in the House Health Committee on the university clinics bill.
The issue concerns students at the Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK), which says it lacks the institutional role necessary to supervise and oversee their practical clinical training.
Anastasios Merkouris, dean of TEPAK's School of Health Sciences, told the committee that the university has been training healthcare professionals for around 20 years without having meaningful authority over the conditions under which its students undertake clinical placements.
According to Merkouris, the university effectively purchases clinical training services from the state but does not have the level of oversight required over the process itself.
Concern extends beyond nursing
The issue affects a range of healthcare disciplines, including Nursing and the Rehabilitation Sciences.
The School of Health Sciences offers programmes that train nurses, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists, all professions that require structured practical training in real-world care settings.
The concerns also extend to related fields such as physiotherapy.
Merkouris argued that the absence of a formal institutional framework also creates obstacles for research development.
While highlighting the university's achievements, he said the lack of control over clinical training remains a significant unresolved issue.
Support for university clinics
Merkouris stressed that TEPAK supports the establishment of university clinics.
However, he called for the legislative process to be used as an opportunity to regulate the clinical education of other healthcare professionals as well, not only doctors.
The university is seeking a formal role in the supervision and organisation of practical training for students and professionals at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
