Experience in the educational process at the department of hospital therapy in the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19)

The introduction of distance learning into the practice of educational process at the Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov is justified in the context of the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19. The modern principles of distance learning are presented. The experience of distance learning at the Department of Hospital Therapy of the Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov during the COVID-19 pandemic is described. Aspects of the organization and teaching of the discipline “Hospital Therapy” in cadets and students of the 6th year in distance learning are considered. Practical training using an electronic information environment included studying theoretical material using an electronic textbook, watching a lecture presentation, and testing. Solving situational problems with pre-diagnosis, appointment of a plan of examination and treatment of patients allowed to preserve the practical component of the classes. The positive and negative aspects of distance learning are discussed. The data of the anonymous questionnaire of 70 cadets and students of the 6th year of the Faculty of Medicine on satisfaction with the educational process in the distance learning mode are given. The questions concerned the organization, merits and disadvantages of distance learning at the department in conditions of self-isolation of teachers and students. The experience of teaching has shown that cadets and students have high motivation, organization, good enough skills to work in the mode of distance learning. This has contributed to rapid adaptation to a new form of training in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. In general, teachers and students are satisfied with the remote learning process. However, distance learning, according to most teachers and students, cannot fully provide a practical part of the future doctor’s training program. Positive experience of the department has shown that distance learning can be considered as an alternative to traditional learning in the conditions of self-isolation of teachers and students in the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19.