Faculty of Preventive Medicine
In accordance with the order of the Rector of Gomel State Medical University dated 11.10.2024 № 421 the Faculty of Preventive Medicine was established on 15.10.2024.
The Faculty of Preventive Medicine trains specialists with the qualification of “Doctor” for practical preventive services of the Republic of Belarus. Graduates' main specialties include: hygienist, epidemiologist (including clinical epidemiologist), preventive medicine physician, laboratory technician (including laboratory technician for microbiology laboratories), healthcare administrator, and research and teaching staff.
Graduates of the Faculty of Preventive Medicine become specialists in agencies and institutions implementing state sanitary supervision at all levels: Ministry of Health, territorial centers of hygiene, epidemiology, and public health (republican, regional, city, zonal, and district). Graduates can work in the departments of medical universities, departments, and laboratories of research institutes in the Republic of Belarus.
Training of specialists in preventive healthcare according to new educational standard includes, as early as the first year, study of subjects grouped into the module "Introduction to the Specialty", such as "Current Environmental Issues" and "Fundamentals of a Healthy Lifestyle." Subsequently, in-depth study is envisaged on issues aimed at reducing the potential impact of environmental factors on human life and health, implementing sanitary and anti-epidemic measures to ensure a stable epidemiological situation, ensuring biological safety and preventing spread of infectious and non-infectious diseases, and optimizing and developing laboratory support system for state sanitary surveillance. Considerable attention is paid to study of infection control systems and principles of evidence-based medicine.
The first two years of study in many faculties are similar: students study social sciences and humanities, natural sciences, general medical and biological disciplines, such as normal anatomy, histology, and general hygiene. In the third year, the focus is put on general professional disciplines. Students acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills in solving problems aimed at ensuring sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population of the Republic of Belarus.
In the learning process, a major role is given to a practice-oriented approach in mastering academic disciplines, acquiring analytical and critical thinking skills, and interpreting results of scientific research in the field of preventive medicine.
In the sixth year, in accordance with the educational standard of higher education and standard curricula for the specialty, pre-graduate internship in the profiles of "Hygiene and Epidemiology" and "Laboratory Research" was introduced for students, after which a postgraduate internship is provided.
Starting from the first year, students undergo trainings. During the first year, students complete an introductory training at the Hygiene and Epidemiology Centers, where they become familiar with the basic functions of sanitary service units, modern equipment, documentation, and their future workplaces.
During the second year, students complete practical training in medical care and laboratory practical training at healthcare organizations; after the third year - pre-medical practical training in hygiene and epidemiology; after the fourth year - medical clinical practical training; after the fifth year - medical practical training in hygiene and epidemiology; and in the sixth year - medical preventive practical training.
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The university has created all conditions for students wishing to engage in research activities. Starting from the first year, students can attend scientific clubs at the university. This work is interesting and exciting. Participating in the work of scientific clubs, students learn to make presentations at meetings and conferences, conduct research and experiments aimed at preventing the emergence and spread of infectious and non-communicable diseases, strengthening national biological security by developing and implementing in practical health care advanced technologies, methods and means of medical prevention, diagnosis and treatment of current diseases in the Republic of Belarus.
Student years aren't limited to just studying; the faculty creates conditions for students to develop their creative abilities and talents. Participation in sports, cultural events, volunteer work, career guidance, and journalism are just a small part of the unlimited range of opportunities offered by the university.
Graduates of the Faculty of Preventive Medicine work primarily in centers of hygiene, epidemiology and public health, sterilization and disinfection centers, AIDS prevention departments, sanitary-quarantine and sanitary control points, research centers, institutes and laboratories of hygienic, epidemiological and microbiological profiles, as epidemiologists in healthcare organizations, as well as teachers of medical higher and secondary educational institutions.
