Department of family medicine

History of the Department

The Department of Family Medicine was established in accordance with Order No. 720 of the Rector of South Kazakhstan Medical Academy JSC dated 28 August 2019 and Order No. ҚР ДСМ-89 of the Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 31 May 2019, “On Amendments and Additions to Order No. 27 of the Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 30 January 2008 ‘On Approval of the List of Clinical Specialties for Training in Internship and Residency Programmes.’”

Purpose of the Department

The primary purpose of the Department is to train competitive medical professionals who possess well-developed clinical reasoning, professional competencies and research skills, are committed to continuous professional development, and are capable of providing safe, high-quality, patient-centred medical care.

In accordance with modern requirements for medical education and the principles of evidence-based medicine, the Department systematically develops students’ and residents’ theoretical knowledge, practical and clinical skills, professional communication, ability to apply evidence-based medicine principles, and capacity to make independent clinical decisions through the integration of clinical practice and research activities.

Key Areas of the Department’s Activities

Ensuring high-quality education — providing interns and residents with comprehensive training in the fundamentals of family medicine and methods for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as developing and improving their theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Developing clinical competence — fostering clinical reasoning and the competencies required to provide medical care focused on prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, taking into account each patient’s individual characteristics, family circumstances and social environment.

Implementing the principles of evidence-based medicine — teaching learners to use current scientific evidence, clinical protocols and medical technologies effectively when making clinical decisions.

Strengthening integration with practical healthcare — aligning the educational process with the actual needs of healthcare organisations and ensuring effective cooperation with clinical training sites.

Applying innovative educational technologies — incorporating simulation-based training, digital technologies, clinical case analysis and other modern teaching methods into the educational process.

Developing research activities — creating conditions for conducting research on relevant issues in family medicine and internal medicine and for implementing research findings in practical healthcare.

Fostering professional ethics and responsibility — establishing the principles of medical ethics, deontology, respect for patients’ rights and professional responsibility as the foundation of students’ professional practice.

Promoting continuous professional development — encouraging students to pursue self-directed learning, continuously improve their professional competencies and keep abreast of the latest advances in medicine.

Research Activities of the Department

The Department’s research activities focus on the scientific study of current issues in primary healthcare, internal medicine specialties and preventive medicine; improving the quality and effectiveness of medical care; implementing the principles of evidence-based medicine in clinical practice; and integrating research findings into the educational process.

The Department’s academic staff participate in national and international scientific conferences by presenting reports and publishing research papers. Students are involved in the Department’s research projects, clinical studies, scientific and practical conferences, seminars and the preparation of scientific publications. Through these activities, they acquire skills in the scientific analysis of clinical problems, the search for and critical appraisal of evidence-based information, and the implementation of research findings in clinical practice.

Clinical Activities of the Department

The Department’s clinical activities are aimed at providing patients with modern, high-quality, safe and patient-centred medical care, improving diagnostic and treatment processes, and developing interns’ and residents’ practical and professional competencies at clinical training sites.

The Department’s clinical training sites include Shymkent City Polyclinics No. 1, No. 8 and No. 13, the Ai-Nury Medical Centre and the Regional Cardiology Centre.

During clinical practice, residents are provided with opportunities to apply their theoretical knowledge in real clinical settings, develop their clinical reasoning and make medical decisions in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine.

The Department’s academic staff conduct educational seminars and master classes for physicians. They also provide regular medical consultations to patients from the city and the region.