Philosophical and practical understanding of the quality of medical education in the Russian Federation: analysis of the opinions of students and practicing doctors

Abstract

Introduction. The transformation of higher medical education, caused by the rapid development of medical technologies and growing social demands on the healthcare system, requires research into students’ ideas about quality education, their assessments and expectations, since students’ understanding of the learning process can have a significant impact on the development of student motivation and medical professionalism. The purpose of the study is to analyze the current system of higher medical education in the Russian Federation based on survey data from senior students, residents, and practicing doctors. Materials and methods. The survey involved 350 respondents (senior students, residents, practicing physicians) mainly from Moscow medical higher education institutions. Statistical analysis was carried out using the software StatTech v. 3.0.4. Methods of mathematical statistics: U-Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, χ2 -Pearson tests. Results. It was revealed that only 52% of respondents consider the amount of theoretical knowledge acquired at a higher education institution under a specialty program to be sufficient. Students and graduates of the pediatric faculty more often consider the amount of theoretical training sufficient compared to respondents from the medical and dental faculties (p < 0.001). Only half of the respondents are satisfied with the quality of the education received. Students and graduates of the Faculty of Pediatrics more often stated that they use the knowledge and skills acquired during practical training in their professional activities (p < 0.001). Students and graduates of medical faculties of non-core Moscow universities and Russian National Research Medical University named after N.I. Pirogov are most satisfied with the amount of theoretical knowledge received within the framework of the specialty program compared to students and graduates of other higher education institutions (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The results of this study may be valuable for government agencies that determine strategies for the development of higher medical education in Russia, as well as for university leaders who plan targets for the development of educational activities with an emphasis on involving students in the educational process.