RE-DIRECTION Project Focus Group Meeting at Kyiv Medical University

We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the recent Focus Group meeting held under the RE-DIRECTION Project at Kyiv Medical University. The meeting took place on May 29th, 2024, and brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policy makers, employers, NGO representatives, educators, and students. This event was a crucial step in identifying and addressing key challenges in medical education related to digitalization, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Participants

The focus group included notable participants such as:

– Andrii Vilensky, Medical Director of the “Superhumans” Rehabilitation Center and Director of ISIDA Clinic.

– Serhii Shkabko, State Expert of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

– Viktor Vykhor, Chief Expert of the State Service of Education Quality of Ukraine.

– Anna Hnylousenko, Head of the Residency department at Into-Sana Clinic.

– Various representatives from Kyiv Medical University, including faculty members and students.

Key Discussion Points

1. Digitalization

The participants highlighted the critical need to improve digital skills among medical students and graduates, particularly in operating the Ukrainian Electronic HealthCare System (E-Healthy). The current lack of proficiency in using these systems hinders the efficiency and productivity of young professionals.

Proposed Solutions:

– Introduce courses on electronic systems and databases in the 4th and 5th years of the medical curriculum.

– Develop simulation programs of E-Healthy for educational purposes.

– Utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to process and summarize complex medical information, aiding both students and staff.

2. Sustainability

The discussion on sustainability emphasized the importance of incorporating management and leadership skills into the medical education curriculum. The need for training in ethics, deontology, and effective communication was also underscored.

Proposed Solutions:

– Implement a multidisciplinary teambuilding course followed by a management course for potential leaders.

– Supplement ethics and deontology courses with effective communication components.

– Include aspects of handling patients affected by post-traumatic stress disorder due to the ongoing conflict.

3. Inclusivity

The focus group addressed the language barriers faced by both Ukrainian and foreign students. Improving language skills is essential for effective communication and learning.

Proposed Solutions:

– Provide additional language lessons focusing on medical vocabulary for the first four years.

– Utilize AI for instant translation of textbooks and educational videos.

– Incorporate clinical guidelines and treatment protocols approved by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine into the study programs to standardize learning outcomes.

Conclusion

The RE-DIRECTION Project’s Focus Group meeting identified critical areas for improvement in medical education. By addressing these gaps through collaborative efforts, we aim to enhance the quality of education and better prepare future healthcare professionals. The joint efforts of Kyiv Medical University, the National HealthCare Service of Ukraine, the Ministry of Science and Education, and the RE-DIRECTION team will be instrumental in achieving these goals.