In Internal Medicine, residents learn to take a full medical history, perform physical examinations, interpret clinical semiology and read laboratory  tests and diagnoses, as well as assign pathology treatment guidelines. Communicating with patients and their families plays an important role during this rotation, in addition to writing admission and discharge assessments. Therapeutic consultation and drug safety are also developed, in which tasks include coding adverse reactions.

Residents are equipped to interpret and design a study of medication use and carry out a technical medication evaluation report. They also consolidate their knowledge of medical research methodology in general, and of pharmacoepidemiology in particular, which they will subsequently put into practice.                 

Residents learn the applied concepts of medication selection, which may include clinical efficacy, toxicity, convenience and cost of medication, plus the benefit-risk ratio. 

Alongside Internal Medicine, and to enter into healthcare activities, residents take part in shifts in Clinical Pharmacology, and have the option of working in the emergency wards of other departments. Residents must be prepared to attend to patients’ queries regarding any pathology and carry out appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

During the rotation in Clinical Trials, clinical trial protocols assessed by the Clinical Research Ethics Committees must be critically interpreted and support given to general practitioners regarding use of medication. Residents also acquire knowledge of  medication and therapies in basic areas of healthcare and within primary care teams, where they also undertake a rotation.

Lastly, residents have the option of an external rotation.

Why specialise at Vall d’Hebron?

• Because we offer the largest Clinical Pharmacology Department in Spain.
• Because we teach residents to carry out the most effective medication selection.
• Because we carry out research in pharmacoepidemiology  and safe use of medication.
• Because residents gain experience in all areas of Clinical Pharmacology.
• Because we hold clinical training sessions for residents on methodology relating to therapeutic consultations, drug safety, clinical trials, clinical pharmacology,  sessions of general clinical interest and literature reviews.

Residents in clinical biochemistry have different objectives and specialised tasks according to which rotation phase they are in.

During their training period, resident doctors prepare to be on duty in the Accident and Emergency Department laboratories, where they calibrate, control and troubleshoot minor failures of analytical instruments. They also collect and extract samples from adult patients admitted to hospital, outpatients and paediatric patients.

During their first rotations they work with instrument warning signals and solutions, analysis and verification of calibrations, and the results of control and differentiation in different patients, outpatients, critical care patients, patients from paediatrics, and those who have had transplants, etc. Specialists subsequently learn about basic haematology, erythropathology, and the use of tumoural markers in the laboratory. Specialists undertake rotations while progressively increasing their level of specialisation and variety, from the areas of Quality, Lipids, Enzymes and Special Techniques, to Allergies, and Molecular Genetics and Hormones, among others.

Lastly, they must work in laboratory management and they have the option to work in the primary care laboratory.

The laboratory encourages residents to take part in research through collaboration during rotations and specific projects in the final phase of their fourth year.

We foster the writing of scientific articles, the design of clinical trials, data analysis, attendance at congresses in the specialisation and potential collaboration with the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute.

Why should you specialise at Vall d’Hebron? 

• Because we are the largest and most active clinical laboratory in the country. We process up to 6,500 requests daily.
• Because we innovate using robotic pre-analysis process chains, connections to multiple automated analysis equipment, and high performance computer systems to maintain a high level of automation.
• Because we work alongside other specialisations in the Clinical Laboratories, with whom we share projects, work spaces, and facilities.
• Because we are the largest tertiary hospital clinical laboratory in Catalonia, with complex diagnostics and monitoring of admissions and outpatients.
• Because we make it possible to take part in conferences, seminars and courses on subjects such as radiation protection, statistics and scientific documentation.
• Because we encourage professionals to participate in the accredited continuous professional development clinical sessions.
• Because we offer the chance to present oral papers on subjects of interest for the clinical laboratory, supervised by the staff doctors on the team, residents or external specialists.
• Because we make it possible to complete part of your training at a centre outside the Vall d’Hebron Clinical Laboratories for up to 6 months, on the laboratory or the resident’s own initiative. Professionals can choose from other laboratories or departments at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and other national and international hospitals.

The Unit's activities include tissue processing techniques using microscopic and macro photography, the most common types of autopsy and biopsy, and foetal and infant paediatric autopsy in particular. The Gynaecology Unit also carries out cytology tests  and attends intraoperative biopsies in rotation.    

The Transplant Pathology Unit carries out protocol and monitoring biopsies, designed to be a procedure for fast diagnosis and treatment in cases of transplant rejection.

Duty shifts are carried out in surgical pathology at the hospital, in addition to processing surgical pieces and samples for the Foetal Tissue Bank, and carrying out autopsies during duty shifts.

Why should I specialise at Vall d’Hebron? 

• Because we have the highest volume of healthcare activity of any department in Catalonia.
• Because our specialisations include paediatric pathology as a separate discipline specifically due to the importance of the Maternity and Children's Hospital, and you will have the chance to acquire significant experience in defects such as placental pathology, premature birth defects, pathology during pregnancy and postnatal disorders.
• Because we see the full range of complexity in anatomical pathology, from the most basic to the most complex cases. It is the only hospital where, with the exception of the pancreas, all kinds of solid organ transplant can be performed, including lung and paediatric transplants, which are unique at this centre.
• Because we have a powerful molecular pathology laboratory within the department, proof that today many believe the future of medicine lies in specialised processes such as interpreting molecular biology techniques.
• Because an electronic microscope unit is part of routine diagnosis when looking at the complexity of each autopsy, biopsy and cytology.
• Because our residents are often in charge of intraoperative biopsy diagnosis and perform fine needle aspiration (FNA) both for cytolopathology consultations and during foetal and infant autopsy techniques in the Paediatrics Unit.
• Because we take part in a large number of clinical committees and interdepartmental sessions of different specialisations.
• Because we make it easy for residents to attend national and international courses and conferences in surgical pathology and cytology, such as the Spanish Pathological Anatomy Society and the Medical Sciences Academy of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, among others.                                                                                            
• Because of the opportunity to get involved in research being carried out in different specialisations within the department.
• Because residents receive compensation for duty shifts at weekends and on national holidays, both in the Surgical Pathology Unit when related to the  specialisation, and in general, special or molecular Pathological Anatomy.

The Medical Physics and Radiation Protection Department was accredited as a teaching unit in 1995 and is one of the first to receive accreditation in Spain. Some of our former residents now hold important positions in hospitals throughout Spain. Being part of Catalonia’s biggest hospital, with a technology park that is updated constantly, allows us to offer state-of-the-art training in all the areas of the speciality: radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, radiodiagnosis, and radiation protection in healthcare. It is unique, thanks to its extensive experience in advanced radiation oncology techniques in adult and paediatric patients, along with the scope of the radiation protection operations it carries out within the hospital, in both clinical and research facilities. The department has a laboratory where the hospital’s radiation detectors can be calibrated.

Additionally, the Vall d'Hebron Campus offers the possibility of actively participating in national and international research projects and clinical trials linked to its two research institutions, the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology and the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute.

Why specialise at Vall d’Hebron?

• Because you will be at Catalonia’s largest hospital and you will be able to work side by side with professionals representing most of the medical specialities. You will have the opportunity to see complex pathologies and to apply ground-breaking diagnostic methods and treatments that use the latest technology.
• Because the department has experienced specialists who will help you throughout your training period.
• The number of patients who pass through the centre offers great potential for learning and gaining experience in less common techniques.
• Because we are a leading centre in paediatrics, and you will be able to see radiation oncology treatments and molecular therapy in children.
• Because our training programme can adapt to the initiative and vocation of each resident, with more emphasis on patient contact or research according to their needs. 
• Because the Department encourages scientific training, you will have the opportunity to do your doctoral thesis.
• Because the Department is accredited by ISO 9001:2015, you will be trained in handling quality management systems. 
• Because thanks to the hospital’s ties with research institutions, you will be able to participate in clinical trials and research projects.
• Because the Department has the resources to finance your participation in training activities.

Radiopharmaceuticals are used in Nuclear Medicine as contrast liquids which are injected into patients intravenously to enable non-invasive internal observation. In this way, molecular imaging of the body or the pathology that is being studied can be obtained. Radiopharmacy as a medical specialisation therefore deals with the study of physical, pharmaceutical, chemical, biochemical and biological aspects of radiopharmaceuticals. 

Why specialise at Vall d’Hebron?

• Because following the residency, you will be able to establish criteria and draw up procedures to appropriately select radiopharmaceuticals according to their efficacy, safety, quality and cost.
• Because you will manage acquisition and establish guidelines for the storage and expiration periods of radiopharmaceuticals with the aim of covering the needs of the Radiopharmacy Unit.
• Because you will acquire the knowledge required to draw up and establish the necessary procedures for correct extemporaneous preparation of radiopharmaceuticals and their quality control.
• Because you will train in dosimetry, dispensing, distribution and use of radiopharmaceuticals according to the characteristics of the healthcare centre.
• Because you will be able to apply standards of good radiopharmacy practice and will be familiar with current legislation on radiation protection.
• Because you will drive, coordinate and take part in programmes that foster greater understanding of radiopharmacy.
• Because you will undertake training and research activities in areas related to your professional activity.
• Because you will participate in drug safety programmes.

Prospective radiologists need a solid medical foundation to work closely with specialists from other medical disciplines. For this reason, training in diagnostic imaging, clinical radiology and bioethics is complemented with knowledge on pathological and functional aspects of diseases. 

Why specialise at Vall d’Hebron?

• Because we are a tertiary hospital with outstanding departments. The number of patients who pass through the centre offers great potential for learning and gaining of experience.
• Because we cover most specialisations and you will have the opportunity to see complex conditions and to use cutting-edge diagnostic techniques and treatments.
• Because our training programme can adapt to the initiative and vocation of each resident, with more emphasis on patient-contact or research according to their needs.

Why specialise at Vall d’Hebron?

• Because we are a tertiary hospital with outstanding departments. The number of patients who pass through the centre offers great potential for learning and gaining of experience.
• Because we cover most specialisations and you will have the opportunity to see complex conditions and to use cutting-edge diagnostic techniques and treatments.
• Because our training programme can adapt to the initiative and vocation of each resident, with more emphasis on patient-contact or research according to their needs.

Hospital Pharmacy is a pharmaceutical specialisation that takes care of the population’s pharmaceutical needs through selecting, preparing, acquiring, controlling and dispensing medication; providing information on medications; and other activities aimed at ensuring the correct, safe and cost-effective use of medication and healthcare products for the benefit of patients in the hospital environment and its sphere of influence.

Why specialise at Vall d’Hebron?

• Because you will learn criteria and methods to appropriately select medications in the hospital setting, taking into account their effectiveness, safety, quality and cost.
• Because you will gain knowledge to manage acquisition and to establish guidelines for the storage and expiration periods of medication selected, with the aim of covering the needs of the hospital and evaluating the acquisition of healthcare materials. You will see how to set up a dispensing, distribution and usage system for medication, to make it safer and more effective in line with the attributes of the particular hospital.
• Because you will take part in clinical activities in collaboration with the rest of the care team to ensure that every patient receives the appropriate pharmacological treatment, and will establish lines of communication between pharmacist and patient.
• Because you will participate in Artificial nutrition, Clinical pharmacokinetic and Drug safety programmes.
• Because you will be able to access research and clinical trials on information and use of medications, pharmaceutical technology, clinical pharmacokinetics, artificial nutrition, drug safety, and all areas that contribute to the rational use of medication in general.

This includes basic clinical knowledge of diagnostic techniques, dietary and therapeutic measures and all aspects of preventative medicine related to these fields. Other specialist departments are also involved in the Endocrinology and Nutrition Teaching Unit, such as Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Nephrology, Neurology, Paediatrics, Nuclear Medicine, and the Nutritional Support Unit and the Accident and Emergency Department.

Why specialise at Vall d’Hebron?

• Because we are a tertiary hospital with outstanding departments. The number of patients who pass through the centre offers great potential for learning and gaining of experience.
• Because we cover most specialisations and you will have the opportunity to see complex conditions and to use cutting-edge diagnostic techniques and treatments.
• Because our training programme can adapt to the initiative and vocation of each resident, with more emphasis on patient-contact or research according to their needs.