Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine and Physical Rehabilitation

At present, the Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine and Physical Rehabilitation, although young, is highly promising due to the high qualification of its academic staff, the active implementation of innovative educational approaches, and relevant scientific research. The Department provides educational, methodological, and scientific activities within the specialty 222 “Medicine”, field of study 22 “Healthcare”, at the School of Medicine.

History

The Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine and Physical Rehabilitation was established pursuant to the decision of the Academic Council of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University dated 27 August 2018, through the reorganization of the former Department of Internal Medicine. Associate Professor Maria Brynza, PhD was elected Head of the Department.

The initial team consisted of graduates of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University who began their work at the Department as assistants. Four more academic staff members, who had completed specialization in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, joined the team.

From the very first days of its establishment, significant attention has been given to educational and methodological development: teaching guidelines were created and disseminated to support student preparation for lectures and practical classes. Teaching is conducted in Ukrainian and English at a high scientific and methodological level, following the educational and professional training program for students majoring in 222 “Medicine”.

Facilities and Resources

The material and technical support of the Department is maintained at the highest level and fully meets international standards.

Lectures are conducted in lecture halls equipped with multimedia systems and computers connected to the University’s internal network and the Internet.

For the practical and seminar classes, the Department has access to university classrooms equipped with multimedia systems, personal computers with Internet access, video and television systems, and demonstration materials.

The educational process involves the use of anatomical models, training posters, medical simulators and mannequins, as well as professional diagnostic equipment.

Academic Staff

The academic staff of the Department includes:

5 PhD holders
4 Associate Professors
17 Assistants
3 Senior Laboratory Technicians

81% of the staff work full-time at the Department, while 19% are part-time employees.

In order to maintain a high academic and professional level, the staff regularly complete continuing professional development courses, specialization programs, pre-certification training cycles, and thematic improvement programs, including courses in pedagogical mastery and the implementation of innovative Internet technologies and distance learning formats.

Teaching Activity

Teaching is one of the priority areas of the Department’s work. The Department delivers 5 disciplines in Ukrainian and English. The total teaching load amounts to 17,253 academic hours, including 170 hours of lectures and 14,120 hours of practical training.

Teaching is conducted in accordance with standard curricula approved by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, further refined within the regulatory framework of the Department. All disciplines follow the recommendations and principles of the Bologna Process.

The instructional process actively incorporates multimedia and computer technologies, a wide range of visual materials, and encourages student involvement in clinical and scientific activities.

Practical training takes place under conditions that closely simulate real clinical settings. Together with academic supervisors, students participate in patient examinations, diagnostic and treatment procedures, clinical discussions, ward rounds, symposia, and consultations, gaining invaluable practical and clinical experience early on.

The most motivated students are selected to participate in national Olympiads, competitions, conferences, and congresses. Each year, students of the School of Medicine win prizes and receive diplomas, certificates, and other awards.

Disciplines Taught at the Department

Teaching is provided in Ukrainian and English in 5 disciplines, including:

Patient Care (Practical Training) – Year 2, Semester 4
Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine – Year 3, Semesters 5, 6
Nursing Practice – Year 3, Semester 5
Internal Medicine (including Endocrinology) – Year 4, Semesters 7, 8
Medical Practice – Year 4, Semester 8

Methodological Work

The Department continuously develops and updates methodological packages for all disciplines offered:

Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine (including Endocrinology)
Patient Care Practice
Nursing Practice

Updated course syllabi for Ukrainian- and English-medium programs are approved annually, fully aligned with the curriculum requirements for specialty 222 “Medicine”.

Each discipline includes complete methodological support prepared in accordance with the educational qualification characteristics and requirements for medical training.

The Department has created teaching materials for instructors and self-study guidelines for students. An indicative student roadmap for practical training outlines preparatory steps, theoretical questions, practical skills, and includes test tasks, literature lists, and electronic resource links.

Research Activities

The scientific focus of the Department includes:

Management and outcomes after radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation and flutter
Specific ECG features in patients with diabetes mellitus
Implementation and evaluation of innovative musculoskeletal rehabilitation techniques in patients with comorbid cardiovascular diseases

Scientific work is carried out in several directions:

Doctoral and postgraduate training
Participation in conferences and scientific seminars
Publication of research articles and conference abstracts
Departmental scientific project
Student research under academic supervision

Despite its young age, the Department actively participates in national and international scientific events. Notable achievements include:

In September 2019, three staff members (O. S. Makharinska, I. I. Oktyabriova, T. V. Zolotarova) received ESC Congress 2019 Educational Grants and attended the European Society of Cardiology Congress and the World Congress of Cardiology in Paris, France.
At the XX National Congress of Cardiologists of Ukraine, Assistant Tetiana Zolotarova received 1st place in the Young Scientists Competition.

Within the first year alone, the Department published 7 domestic journal articles, 1 international SCOPUS-indexed publication, submitted 8 more articles, and produced over 24 conference abstracts.

A key component of scientific work is the operation of student scientific circles, functioning within the Student Scientific Society. Students participate in clinical case conferences, scientific forums, symposia, and research projects, resulting in publications in specialized journals, including international editions.

All educational and methodological materials comply with the regulations of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University and have received approval from the University’s Methodological Council.