The case study method as an effective instrument of professional-oriented training in medical institutions of higher education

Abstract

The current stage of social and economic development of Ukraine, entry into European educational space, modern processes of social and economic development determine the need for theoretical comprehension, and qualitative updating of the professional training in higher medical educational institutions, and the learning process requires further development.Aim — to increase educational process efficiency, and form a skill to perceive, comprehend independently any visual or verbal information, make their own substantiated decisions, determine the optimal ways to implement this solution from professional point of view.Material and methods. In recent years, the modernization of the Ukrainian medical education is focused on finding new, effective methods of learning. On the basis of content analysis of key conceptions of the study, it has been established that the case method is not only a realistic description of the events, but integrated information system that allows understanding the situation.Results. New educational standards of higher medical education are focused on the implementation of competence-based approach to the process of training for future physicians. Lecturer should focus on personal and professional individuality of each student, and use a differentiated approach in the learning process, as well as interactive forms and methods of teaching. For the realization of these objectives the lecture has to learn to design practical classes, preferring modern active and interactive learning methods and technologies, among which — the case method. Introduction of case technologies in educational process contrib-utes to the development of skills in students to make competent and constructive actions during conduction of effective and safe pharmacotherapy. In a competency-based approach, evaluations rests on a methodology linked on one hand, to the nature of the problem situation or situational task fac-ing the student being evaluated and, on the other, to the analysis of results ob-tained during the course of study or at the end of training. A key role belongs to disclosure of the main ideas of case-method, as well as identifying the benefits and drawbacks of this method. The classification of case-method has been given, and the approximate algorithm of the lecturer’s and the students’ work over the case has been determined.Conclusions. The application of case study method in the study of the sub-jects “Pharmacology” and “Side effects of drugs” by the medical students allows to improve the quality of mastering of these subjects, improves the application of theoretical knowledge about drugs and their side effects, as well as ensures the development of the personality of students, their professional qualities, and clinical thinking.