ROLE OF STUDENTS’ RESEARCH ACTIITY IN FOSTERING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF POLTAVA STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

Student research activity is one of the most important forms of the education and the driving force of quality assurance activities. Ukraine has developed a regulatory and legal framework that ensures high-quality research work, which should meet the needs of future specialists in intellectual and professional development and increase their professional competence. The involvement in research work requires, first of all, gaining deep theoretical and practical knowledge in medicine, well-designed extra-curricular activities to guide students in their mastering methodology of scientific research and developing research skills, and university promotion. The experience of Poltava State Medical University convincingly proves that the most effective means of improving the quality of training is the regular active involvement of students in research activity. The role of scientific knowledge in higher education is decisive, since the active participation of the teaching staff in fostering research skills makes it possible to demonstrate the latest scientific achievements and their practical application. Structured research activities, woven into the medical school curriculum provide an opportunity to evince the intellectual potential of both students and educators, to contribute to deeper investigation of medical problems, to master the methods of scientific investigation, and to realize the importance of such activity in increasing one's competitiveness in the labour market. This approach also contributes to better comprehension of professional information, to develop mindset associated with high professionalism. Pathophysiology as a discipline is at the junction of theoretical and clinical disciplines that serves as a wide background to meet the diversity of students’ scientific demands and interests. Involving students into structured research activities not only promotes gaining special knowledge, but also builds up ethical and deontological foundations of future successful medical research career; enhances team spirit and cooperation between students and educators. This interaction enables in clearly stating their focus and research question, engaging in an adequate critical discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the study methods, and offering conclusions that are properly qualified in the scope given the evidence gathered and analyzed. This department is proud to maintain a high university rank on student research results performance among the non-clinical departments. The culmination of knowledge in this developmental trajectory can reinforced and extend other aspects of high quality training.