The key role in training personnel is played by scientific clinical bases. Professor and former Minister of Health Talantbek Batyraliev, in his interview, spoke about the importance of such bases for the education of highly qualified doctors.
- Talantbek Batyraliev is a Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (MD, PhD, DSc, FACC, FSCAI, FAHA, FESC).
- What is the role of the clinical base for resident doctors?
- I will start with a joke: "Doctor, is it true that a resident doctor will operate on me?"
- Yes, that is true.
- What if he 'butchers' me?
- Then we will lower his grade and not give him a certificate…".
Seriously speaking, it is necessary to understand that not all medical institutions operate at a high level. The best clinics in the world practice attracting leading specialists from different countries to work on a contract basis for a certain period. This allows clinics to maintain their status as centers of competence in their fields.
Such institutions become benchmarks for clinical bases for young doctors undergoing internships or residency. However, there are not many such centers in the world.
In Central Asia, there is one such center—the cardiac surgery clinic in Astana, where the highly skilled cardiac surgeon Yuri Vladimirovich Pya works. This clinic meets the strictest international standards. Many dream of working under his guidance, but this is not for everyone. Yu.V. Pya founded the center, following the best medical practices, having been invited to the country by its leadership. The scientific-educational medical complex holds leading positions in a wide range of clinical directions as well as in cardiovascular surgery.
Other medical universities, mainly private, hire experienced educators—associate professors and professors—who are not world leaders in their field. This allows for the development of scientific directions and makes education more accessible to a wide range of doctors seeking to gain specialization and practical skills.
A medical university or faculty working with one or several hospitals conducts practical classes in these institutions. Ideally, resident doctors work in the hospital departments under the guidance of mentors and practicing physicians, gaining the necessary knowledge and experience. The closer the cooperation between teachers and department doctors, the more benefit for the residents.
The concept of clinical bases is not new. It was formed back in the mid-20th century when the combination of science, education, and clinical practice yielded the best results in training specialists.
- How are things today?
- In many countries, medical universities are becoming less important for practical healthcare. Healthcare leaders in the post-Soviet space often view medical universities as a burden for hospitals, seeking to limit their functions. However, generally, where medical departments decline, medical practice itself suffers, and some hospitals close, considering themselves inefficient.
- How can high-quality training for doctors be combined with patient rights so that young doctors do not cause harm?
- It is essential to strictly adhere to laws and patient rights. Young doctors should not be allowed to perform initial injections or incisions on patients without prior training on mannequins.
Nevertheless, no mannequin can replace the real experience of clinical practice. Mentors play an important role here. If a young doctor works without the supervision of an experienced mentor, the risk of mistakes significantly increases. However, if there is an experienced physician-educator nearby, a team of young doctors under the guidance of a mentor does not pose a threat to the patient, as would be the case with one young doctor without support.
Our laws are unique in that they allow for the protection of patient rights while simultaneously providing opportunities for young doctors to train in quality clinical bases, gaining practical experience without harming patients.
Proper organization of ethical issues and interaction between universities and hospitals remains crucial.
