Higher Medical Education In Ukraine Research Articles

ADAPTATION COMPONENT AS A CONSTITUENT OF FOREIGN STUDENTS SUCCESSFUL TRAINING IN MEDICAL UNIVERSITIES OF UKRAINE

Abstract. The article highlights the main tasks of higher medical education in Ukraine. It is noted that one of the global tasks of higher medical education development in Ukraine is the qualitative training of foreign students. The successful process of their education is a kind of indicator of high level of education in Ukraine, a confirmation of its international scientific, educational and cultural authority. It is indicated that attraction of foreign students to Ukrainian medical institutions of higher education performs not only economic functions, replenishing the country's budget at the expense of students studying on a contract form of education, but also stimulates cultural exchange between countries, affects the formation of future medical elite. Foreign students who remain in our country after graduating from Ukrainian higher education institutions have particular interest for the research. During their studies, they not only receive education, but also master the Ukrainian language, adapt to economic, cultural and other living conditions. Such graduates are very valuable for the future of our country. In connection with this, the question of adaptation of foreign students to living and studying in Ukraine is being brought up to date as the quality of education and professional socialization of foreigners depends on its success.
 The adaptation component plays an important role in studying process of foreign students. Students encounter adaptation difficulties from the first days of their studies. Foreigners find themselves in an unfamiliar cultural, linguistic, household and social environment, which they need to master, so the educational process is accompanied by adaptation to new living conditions. An important role in the process of foreign students’ adaptation in the universities of Ukraine has the organization of the educational process itself and the direct participation of the teacher in it. However, the successful implementation of the adaptation component is facilitated not only by classroom work, but also by extracurricular work, as it is an integral part of educational and educational processes.
 An important role in the process of adaptation of foreign students in universities of Ukraine is played by the organization of the educational process itself and the direct participation of the teacher in it. However, the successful implementation of the adaptation component is facilitated not only by classroom work, but also by extracurricular work as it is an integral part of the educational and pedagogical processes.

Research-innovation aspect of modern medical (dental) education in a mixed learning environment

The national concept for the development of higher education in Ukraine during the war is aimed at involving digital education in the educational process and promoting the development of virtual educational mobility. The relevance of the study is due to the unstable state of modern medical education in Ukraine, the need to use digital technologies and involve a mixed form of education in the generally accepted concept of conducting the educational process. The purpose of the study is to identify how teachers and students of the dental speciality of higher medical institutions of Ukraine implement the concept of mixed learning as of the beginning of 2023. The paper uses the following methods of research: descriptive, historical-typological, and terminological principles analysis, through which it was possible to implement the research-innovative aspect of modern dental education during the war on the territory of Ukraine. The study examines the historical features of the formation of a mixed form of education in the Ukrainian educational field. Key aspects of using the blended learning model in modern higher medical education in Ukraine are highlighted. The main online platforms used in mixed learning environment and relevant software for mixed learning are considered. A thorough analysis of the state of the modern educational process in Ukrainian universities, where future dental specialists receive education, was conducted, and the prospects for using a mixed form of education for dental students in medical educational institutions were examined. The results of the study can be used by researchers and teachers for further research on the subject raised, in particular, to identify and eliminate the shortcomings of various forms of training.

VOLUNTEERING AS A VALUE IN THE EDUCATIONAL WORK OF HIGHER MEDICAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN UKRAINE

The content structure of volunteering as a value regarding educational work at the institutions of higher medical education in Ukraine has been analysed in the article; the values that should be developed in future medical specialists corresponding to current challenges have been defined.
 It is found out that organizational centres of public support of Ukrainians in higher medical education are the university volunteer centres, which comprehensively help the teams of students – future doctors as well as military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the whole.
 According to the results of analysis of the educational work directions in the institutions of higher medical education, it is established that they prove the highest value of human life (the life of a warrior) for future doctors from different perspectives. In particular, it is confirmed by proactive attitude of student volunteers in donating blood for military personnel.
 Implementation of the value of patriotism in the educational activities of future doctors is substantiated. It is about involvement of senior students and interns into trainings on pre-hospital care.
 It is established that involvement of students into projects aimed at psychological support to civilians and military personnel, as well as financial aid and assistance in supporting mental health for internally displaced persons is a special direction of medical volunteering and education in wartime.
 It is proved that participation in volunteer movement by future doctors promotes development of their personal values: activity, diligence, initiative, desire to help, service, subordinating them to national, civil interests – for the sake of victory and peace in Ukraine.
 Thus, educational work in the institutions of higher medical education of Ukraine requires a systematic approach to development of the values of charity and social activity in the students both regarding the volunteer movement and besides it.

The role of the press conference and work in small creative groups as interactive teaching methods (on the topic “Development of higher medical education in Ukraine”)

The role of the press conference and work in small creative groups as interactive teaching methods (on the topic “Development of higher medical education in Ukraine”)

Andragogy in higher medical education: features of implementation in fundamental and clinical disciplines

Annotation. The article summarizes the main aspects of andragogy - the science of adult education, considers key terms, and characterizes the principles and methods of andragogy. The regulatory documentation regulating the organization and requirements for the development of andragogical competence of teachers was analyzed; electronic resources of PubMed were studied; Google Academy with depth of bibliographic search 2012-2022; the experience of applying aspects of andragogy in the scientific and pedagogical work of the departments of biological and general chemistry and the department of internal medicine №2 of National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya was analyzed and summarized. It is shown, that the effectiveness of the modernization of higher medical education in Ukraine, requires the formation of a new generation of scientific and pedagogical workers who are capable of self-improvement, self-development, and lifelong education. A scientific and pedagogical worker in the field of higher medical education must understand the basic principles of andragogy, constantly develop and improve his andragogy competence, and master the methods of mentoring, moderation, and facilitation. The application of the principles of andragogy in higher medical education is aimed at the formation of a competitive specialist capable of continuous professional development throughout life based on an atmosphere of freedom, creativity, tolerance, responsibility, an individual educational trajectory, and equal opportunities for subjects of study. The implementation of andragogic technologies and methods in institutions of higher medical education depends on educational goals and can vary in fundamental and clinical disciplines. Prospects for further research are the development of normative documents and recommendations on the methodology of andragogy for employees of a higher medical school.

Modernization of theoretical and practical aspects of the development of higher medical education in Ukraine

The coronavirus pandemic has become a challenge for national health care systems, a global problem that has accelerated the processes of reforming medical education in many countries. The purpose of the article is to analyze the modernization of theoretical and practical aspects of the development of higher medical education in Ukraine. The research uses general scientific (analysis, synthesis, deduction and induction) and specialized methods (prognostic, axiological). The results trace the transformation of the state regulation of higher medical education, the use of research methods in education, the use of modern teaching methods aimed at making the medical education sector in Ukraine more efficient. It has been proven that transformations in higher medical education were hampered due to a lack of funding. During 2015–2017, the first changes occurred: the "KROK" testing system, based on American samples was implemented. The latest teaching methods, updated in recent years, are also actively implemented in teaching practice. In the conclusions, it is noted that in the future, employers should play a more active role in the formation of educational programs, as is customary in the leading countries of the world. In Ukraine, due to the aggression of Russian troops and the destruction caused by them, the further commercialization of medical education may become an important trend for further development.

Modern achievements and prospects for the development of higher medical education: Ukrainian realities

The purpose of the study is to research and highlight modern achievements and prospects for the development of higher medical education in Ukraine. Theoretical and empirical methods were used to achieve the set goal and solve research problems. A modern doctor must perfectly master his professional competence. The main motive for reforming the medical field is the desire of students to master professional skills and practical skills, to deepen the acquired theoretical knowledge and apply it in practice, to develop skills regarding the standards of providing medical care, to gain experience in practical work, which will allow a modern student to successfully work independently in the future. It is also necessary to create a group that would carefully study and propose a number of conceptual priority measures related to changes in legislation and aimed at coordination between universities in order to develop a clear, unified strategy for reforming medical education, to ensure the responsibility of higher education institutions for the quality of education and its guarantee, taking into account the interests of society.

MAIN ASPECTS IN FOSTERING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE OF FUTURE MEDICAL DOCTORS DURING THE COURSE OF OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY

Today, the ambitious goals to achieve excellence in professional training of future healthcare professionals in accordance with European high standards are among the priorities of higher medical education in Ukraine. The issues on fostering professional competence of students of higher medical educational institutions are in the focus of attention of many disciplines, and otorhinolaryngology, a compulsory educational component, is one of them. Over the course of the academic discipline "Otorhinolaryngology", future medical doctors acquire general and professional competencies required for their successful practice. The aim of the article was to highlight the main aspects of the formation of professional competencies of future medical doctors during the course of Otorhinolaryngology. To implement the competency approach at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology with Ophthalmology of Poltava State Medical University, an educational and methodological complex has been prepared, and the newest technologies for the presentation of material and mastering skills are being constantly introduced. The department regularly updates material and technical base. These preconditions stimulate cognitive and professional motivation of students, encourage them to intensify educational activities, and contribute to improving the effectiveness of learning, and develop independence and responsibility that ultimately ensures the formation of professional competence of the future doctor. Thus, the course of the discipline "Otorhinolaryngology" is designed and delivered to train highly qualified and competitive healthcare specialists to provide their own professional activity with high quality and productivity.

PERSPECTIVE STRUCTURE OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AS AN EDUCATIONAL DISCIPLINE UNDER MARTIAL LAW

In connection with the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022, in Ukraine, the educational space of our state found itself in the difficult conditions of martial law. Therefore, the system of higher medical education in Ukraine is now facing the problem of providing students with sound theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will be useful to them as future officers and soldiers of the medical service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This requires changes in the curricula of many theoretical and practical disciplines, which are obligatory in the curriculum of the II (master's) level of higher education in the specialty 222 “Medicine”. The purpose of this work is to develop a plan for the restructuring of Pathophysiology as an educational discipline, in accordance with the conditions of martial law. Module №2 “Pathophysiology of Organs and Systems” should remain unchanged as each topic of the module highlights essential information on pathological conditions or processes that may occur in war and martial law conditions. Module №1 “General Pathophysiology” is a kind of introduction to the discipline and aims to teach the student to think operating by such categories as etiological factor, pathogenetic link, main link of pathogenesis, principles of pathogenetic therapy, etc. Also within this module, such pathological processes and conditions as various types of shock and coma are considered. To ensure a high-quality educational process under martial law, the following changes should take place in the structure of pathophysiology as an educational discipline: 1. Three new topics should be created by branching from the topic “Extreme states and terminal states” for classroom practical classes and include: “Extreme states and terminal states. Mechanisms of shock development”, “Mechanisms of the development of comatose states”, and “Pathogenesis of crash syndrome and burn disease”. 2. In order to free up hours for three new topics of practical classes, it is necessary to combine the following topics: “Inflammation” and “Fever” and “Damage of cell membranes” and “Informational aspects of disruption in the cell”.

РОЗШИРЕННЯ ЦИФРОВИХ НАВИЧОК НАУКОВО-ПЕДАГОГІЧНИХ ПРАЦІВНИКІВ МЕДИЧНИХ ЗВО У СИСТЕМІ ПІСЛЯДИПЛОМНОЇ ОСВІТИ

The article is devoted to the search for effective methods of organizing the professional development of scientific and scientific-pedagogical workers of medical higher educational institutions in the system of postgraduate education, which ensures their professional and personal development in the conditions of digitalization of education. It was noted that the problem of continuous education of scientific and scientific-pedagogical workers of medical higher education institutions in the system of postgraduate education is currently relevant in pedagogical science, but scientists have not formed practical directions for the implementation of the developed theories in the integral process of their professional development. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the professional and personal development of scientific and pedagogical workers of medical higher education institutions in the system of postgraduate education, the course program "Organization and support of distance and mixed learning in medical higher educational institutions" was developed, which is implemented in leading institutions of higher medical education in Ukraine. During the implementation of the program, scientific and scientific-pedagogical workers of medical higher education institutions master a number of modern tools, methods and technologies that will ensure the successful implementation of the tasks of pedagogical activity in the conditions of the digital educational environment of medical higher education institutions. The developed program of the training course for scientific and scientific-pedagogical workers of medical higher education institutions covers the main scientific and theoretical approaches of modern pedagogical science, primarily based on the informational approach as one of the strategic directions of state policy in the field of education, which is focused on achieving high educational results in the conditions of digitalization of education.

Аналіз дистанційного навчання іноземних громадян у медичних закладах вищої освіти України

Distance learning has emerged as the primary method for ensuring learning continuity in emergency situations. Before the full-scale war in Ukraine, each university established its own full-fledged distant learning system. Distance education changed once more with the onset of the war and its implications. Foreign students who pursued their studies from their countries of permanent residency faced particular difficulties. The task of the universities was to create the most comfortable conditions for them. The research’s major goal is to evaluate the quality of foreign citizens’ remote learning at medical institutions of higher education and to make recommendations for improvement. To achieve this, an English-language questionnaire was created for medical students at higher education institutions. The poll was performed in May 2022 using the Google forms platform with anonymity and respondents’ free agreement to the processing of personal data. A total of 8.990 applicants for higher medical education in Ukraine’s higher education institutions (nationals from other countries) were questioned. The majority of students surveyed were representatives of India (54.54%), followed by Egypt – 13.13%, Morocco – 12.12%. The organization of the educational process according to these answers (67.9% of respondents) is in a combined synchronous-asynchronous mode. Different platforms and programs have been implemented in distance learning, most students reported using several platforms during their studies (60.7%), ZOOM was often the only platform for training (35.3%). The obtaining of practical skills took place mainly in three formats: multimedia presentations, discussion of clinical situations, simulation. There was a significant decrease in the level of practical skills acquisition (-31.22%), a significantly shorter duration of time spent on training (-30%) and a slight decrease in the average score of academic performance (-3.01%). At the same time, the distance learning had a positive effect on attendance. 46.6% of respondents admit that the biggest disadvantage of distance learning is the reduction of the practical component, 20.9% see their training as ineffective, and 9.6% of respondents say that the biggest disadvantage is the lack of live communication. At the same time, 52.3% want to leave the elements of distance learning in the future. Distance learning is one of the forms of providing the educational process, which allows to create safe conditions for all participants in the educational process. With the correct use of all its elements, distance learning can be a full-fledged form and will provide quality knowledge and practical skills.

Сучасні переваги, недоліки та перспективи розвитку освіти в умовах дистанційного навчання у закладах вищої медичної освіти України

The purpose of the study was to identify and analyze the relevance of opportunities and positive and negative features of distance learning in quarantine, development of prospects and identification of the main problems of distance education in the institutions of higher medical education of Ukraine during quarantine. This study depicts the current state, advantages, disadvantages and feasibility of implementing the transition of the institutions of higher medical education in Ukraine from traditional education to mass E-distance education. The purpose of the study is to characterize distance learning, identify the advantages and disadvantages of this form of learning, the ability to use modern computer technology at a high level of both teachers and students; determine the positive and negative use of distance education (educational platforms). Materials and methods. The main research method is a sociological survey method based on a questionnaire survey of medical university students. Results and discussion. The object of the study is distance learning in the institutions of higher medical education of Ukraine. The subject of the study is the current state and prospects for the development of distance learning. The study uses methods of analysis of reference sources and generalization of the features of the studied object, questionnaire. Conclusion. The study reveals the motivation of students to study in quarantine, rapid acquisition of information, the ability to use a computer at a modern level, communication with the teacher from anywhere. Teachers also have a sense of satisfaction with the new opportunities that open up the use of electronic platforms and tools in educational activities. This is an opportunity to find and apply fundamentally new forms and methods of teaching, continuous development and improvement of their own pedagogical skills. Regarding the practical work of future doctors, for distance learning it is necessary to improve the system of knowledge and skills, starting with the technical support of students and teachers and ending with the improvement of the process of distance transfer of practical skills, using the latest technologies. For example, it is necessary to provide students with access to cloud solutions that will allow them to perform practical skills and modeling outdoors, use simulators, training devices, get access to virtual laboratories. It is advisable to use gamification technologies, creation of digital didactic situational games and exercises, which, in addition to improving practical skills, will involve students in distance learning, because game technologies guarantee the attention and motivation of each student. The most appropriate for medical students will be the use of a hybrid model of learning, combining real education with digital one – this is the best model from the standpoint of logistics and accessibility

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNICATIVE IMAGE AS A RESULT OF LANGUAGE EDUCATION OF FOREIGN MEDICINE STUDENTS

In today’s globalized world, the academic migration of persons receiving higher education outside their home countries is gaining more and more popularity. The main factor in the success of obtaining a professional qualification in foreign universities is proficiency in the language in which educational services are provided. For foreign applicants for higher education (in particular, medical one) in Ukraine, the language of instruction is Ukrainian or English, but in any case, the language of interaction in the academic and sociocultural environment is the state language of the country of study. So, foreign students who receive higher medical education in Ukraine in English, master the Ukrainian language as a means of communicative interaction in the social, cultural, educational and academic environment, and also during clinical practice. This article presents a model of the result of language education of foreign medical students – their professional and communicative image. An accurate understanding of the learning outcome, focus on this result will significantly increase the effectiveness of the educational process. The author describes the structure and content of the studied phenomenon. The professional and communicative image of a doctor is a complex multicomponent phenomenon, the formation of which ensures the success of the communicative act in the professional sphere. This research provides a generalized list of requirements for the personality of a healthcare professional. The listed qualities should be manifested in a certain communicative style through strategies and tactics, and their implementation is ensured by knowledge of the necessary language means and mastery of skills in various types of speech activity.
 The model of professional and communicative image developed by the author as a result of teaching the Ukrainian language to foreign medical students has three levels: psychological, cognitive, and operational. The components of the psychological level are moral and ethical, volitional, organizational-communicative and professional-communicative qualities of a future doctor; knowledge of communication strategies and tactics required by a highly qualified physician, as well as typical genres of medical discourse constitute the cognitive-communicative level; language units we refer to the cognitive-language level; empathic listening, tolerant speaking, reading and writing in the clinical field are referred to the operational level. The linguodidactic description of the components of the studied phenomenon served as the basis for the development of a multi-aspect model of language education for foreign medical students in the English-language form of education.

Implementation of interactive methodology in medical education

Nowadays, the acquisition of innovative approaches and techniques that use the Internet is one of the main goals for the development of higher medical education in Ukraine. Blending learning is an effective way to gain knowledge in medicine and such kind of education is carried out through educational programs and curriculum and was approved for each department by the scientific council of the university. This paper describes the effectiveness of blending learning in the preparation of medical students in Ukraine. The authors designed a course “Medical English for Specific Purpose” and implemented it into the educational process. From this research, it can be concluded that blending learning is an integral part of modern education with the ability to use collaborative and critical thinking skills. In such kind of education, the role of a teacher changes to the facilitator who involves and stimulates students to go through real problem solving and meaningful lifelong learning experiences.

Possibilities of information technology in higher education

The conception of modernization of higher medical education in Ukraine is focused on the model of training physicians who have a broad outlook, able to integrate their potential into the activities of all medical workers, meet the current level of medical science and society, capable of self-improvement and self-development using innovative information technologies. The modern health care system is in need of specialists capable of continuous professional growth and self-improvement. The aim of the article is the formation of future physicians self-by means of information technology (IT). In the article review importance of IT in the professional activities of doctors, the prospects for the development of computer technology; formation and development of the knowledge base, skills and abilities necessary for the effective use of modern programs; development of the ability to independently master software and update and integrate the acquired knowledge. In a modern information society that is constantly evolving, it is important to develop the skills of IT skills among future doctors to make important decisions.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN ACTIVITY-BASED APPROACH TO TEACHING THE PAST TENSE IN MEDICAL ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES

The present paper explores the methods for effective mastering the past tense relying on an activity-based approach following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The aim of the research is to facilitate the teaching and revising the grammar material on the past simple (indefinite) tense, the past continuous (progressive) tense, and the past perfect tense in the process of training undergraduates, Ph.D. students, academic and clinical teachers at a medical university. The results of the research have been integrated into the 1st edition of “Medical English for Academic Purposes” (2018) and “Medical English for Public Health Purposes” (2021). The authors developed the methodological mechanisms to support courses in professional English at higher medical educational institutions through an activity-based approach, which ensures the effective acquisition of a foreign language, promotes the formation of a linguistic personality capable not only of communicating in all areas, but also of successful integration into the international community. The paper provides a wide range of scaffolding activities and methods: using visuals (graphic organizers, charts, etc.), selecting historically meaningful texts, peer-to-peer talk, strategic pairings, “real-life tasks” and modelling situations, the “fishbowl” model and others. The suggested methodological algorithm is feasible for both oral and written communication, reading and listening comprehension activities, group work, individual and self-directed work in class, as well as for in-class or self-paced learning, depending on the features of the curriculum and students’ English proficiency. The receptive aspect of teaching is represented by read-and-translate exercises, targeted texts describing significant events in the history of medicine, as well as true-false exercises to check students’ comprehension. Meanwhile, the reproductive aspect of teaching covers exercises involving opening the brackets, filling the blanks, as well as creating negative and interrogative forms of verbs. Eventually, the productive aspect of teaching is ensured by a wide range of creative speaking and writing activities and “real-life tasks”, aimed at developing students’ communicative competence in English for Professional Purposes (in-class speaking activities (peer-to-peer talk, class discussion). In addition, collecting family history is yet another pragmatically feasible task to revise and study past tenses. The application of an activity-based approach to teaching the past tenses at a medical university is highly effective to foster essential job-related skills, experience and professional readiness. The authors believe that this, in turn, will promote academic mobility and scientific cooperation, thus contributing to the development of higher medical education in Ukraine, which renders the research relevant.

The Development of Future Physicians Self-Improvement by Means of Information Technology

The conception of modernization of higher medical education in Ukraine is focused on the model of training physicians who have a broad outlook, able to integrate their potential into the activities of all medical workers, meet the current level of medical science and society, capable of self-improvement and self-development using innovative information technologies. The modern health care system is in need of specialists capable of continuous professional growth and self-improvement. The aim of the article is the formation of future physicians self-by means of information technology (IT). In the article review importance of IT in the professional activities of doctors, the prospects for the development of computer technology; formation and development of the knowledge base, skills and abilities necessary for the effective use of modern programs; development of the ability to independently master software and update and integrate the acquired knowledge. In a modern information society that is constantly evolving, it is important to develop the skills of IT skills among future doctors to make important decisions.

Prospects of higher medical education in Ukraine in the age of reforms

The implementation of the latest medical reforms requires the synchronization of the system of training and education of medical education with the reform processes in the health care system.
 Objective — analysis of promising areas of development and improvement of higher medical education in Ukraine and possible ways to implement them in the framework of reforms of practical health care and medical education.
 Materials and methods. The principles of the strategy «Development of medical education in Ukraine» and the data of available domestic and foreign publications that contain information on possible ways to improve higher medical education were analyzed.
 Results and discussion. According to the Strategy for the Development of Medical Education in Ukraine, patients are the main value of the medical system, so they should receive high quality services, which can be achieved only with the perfect development of practical skills by future physicians. One of the mechanisms for achieving professional technique of practical skills may be the usage of simulation learning technologies, as it was introduced at the Bukovina State Medical University, along with increasing the number of practical hours for clinical disciplines.To achieve high professionalism and ethics of future physicians, teachers must teach medical students to master the skills of quality search for the most relevant information and ways to improve their professional skills, to form a base of ethical principles of the doctor.With the rapid development of innovative technologies and evidence­based medicine, teachers need to constantly monitor, process and communicate to students only the latest information, in turn, every future doctor should be as interested as possible not only domestic but also global innovations in medicine.Due to the current requirements for the medical labor market, it is reasonable to select only highly motivated students for higher education, who will meet the latest requirements for certification of students and form a strong market for competitive medical knowledge and skills.Conclusions. The process of reforming the medical sector in Ukraine requires a change in many approaches to the organization of the educational process and the quality of medical education. This is a complex process, the implementation of which is possible only with the joint participation of state mechanisms for financing, organizing and controlling the educational process, as well as the direct participation and hard work of educational institutions that train medical professionals.

HEDGING STRATEGIES IN THE ENGLISH ACADEMIC DISCOURSE

The article considers the communicative status of hedging in different genres of the English academic discourse. As a linguistic phenomenon, hedging is associated with the choice of a particular communication strategy, usually aimed at reducing the categorical nature of expressions. Hedging allows authors to limit the degree of reliability or validity of the judgment, to take off responsibility for accuracy of information in a statement, and to avoid critical interpretation. The English language training of researchers and teaching staff at medical universities has become a priority task in higher medical education. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine and systematize the most common challenges in dealing with hedging linguistic constructions in the English academic discourse. The ability to understand and use hedging phrases correctly is an essential prerequisite of successful communication, intercultural reciprocal understanding and international cooperation in the context of rapid development of integration in Ukraine, which renders the present research relevant. The most commonly used hedging constructions, their significance and contextual role in professional communication have been analyzed. The authors have studied the linguistic features of hedging markers, and the functions of hedging constructions depending on the addresser’s intentions. The material of the research is the corpus of research articles and case reports obtained by the method of continuous sampling from the electronic database of medical publications “PubMed”. The analysis of hedging strategies is important to eliminate possible mistakes and avoid misunderstanding in medical communication. The study of the functional implementation of hedging on the basis of certain academic genres of the English medical discourse specifies the "doctor – patient" communicative situation, motivates the communicative behavior of narrative figures, and optimizes international professional communication. The authors believe that paying due attention to this linguistic phenomenon within the framework of the training PhDs and academic staff will promote scientific cooperation, thus contributing to the development of higher medical education in Ukraine.

FEATURES OF TEACHING CLINICAL ANATOMY AND OPERATIONAL SURGERY IN MODERN CONDITIONS

Reforming higher medical education in Ukraine provides for the introduction of a credit-modular system into the educational process. The main task in the study of clinical anatomy and operative surgery is to strengthen the knowledge and fundamental practical skills in clinical anatomy and operative surgery for each student to form high-quality professional skills. In the educational process in practical classes on operative surgery and clinical anatomy, teachers of the Department of Clinical Anatomy and Operative surgery of the Higher State Educational Institution of Ukraine "Ukrainian Medical Dental Academy" successfully combine various newest forms of education. Thanks to this, the role of the teacher changes significantly: he becomes not only a source of passive acquisition of knowledge for students, but also an initiator of their creative search, an organizer of independent work. The use of the latest teaching technologies allows the teacher to assess not individual knowledge, skills and abilities of a student, but the level of his professional skills. An interesting, in our opinion, is the combination of the case method and the business one. First, a clinical situation is modeled when a student needs to decide on the diagnosis, tactics of surgical treatment, and the choice of the most rational method of surgical intervention. At the same time, at all stages of the search for a solution to the problem posed, students should pay attention to the issues of clinical anatomy. Having fundamental knowledge of normal anatomy, they should be able to substantiate the diagnosis from a morphological point of view, choose the most rational surgical approach, explain the ways of the probable spread of purulent-inflammatory processes and the tactics of stopping bleeding in case of damage to various vessels. Considerable attention is paid to the possible complications or difficulties of surgical treatment, in particular, associated with aspects of clinical anatomy. In this way, we develop students' clinical integrated thinking and a clear understanding of the importance of interdisciplinary connections in medicine. Optimization of the educational process in the study of our discipline is possible only with the use of innovative forms of education.