Prospects of Using Distance Learning in the Educational Process of a Medical University

In the context of the use of distance learning forms in the existing system of medical education, the authors consider current issues of finding optimal models of training content and organizational forms, methods and tools that facilitate the effectiveness of distance learning for the professional training of modern medical specialists. Based on the analysis of awareness, previous experience and attitudes of students and teachers of the First St. Petersburg State Medical University an anonymous survey of students and clinical residents, as well as teachers, students and teachers working at various departments of medical and dental faculties of the University was conducted with regard to the development and implementation of distance learning technologies in practice. As a result of the study, it was shown that students at both pre- and post-graduate levels have a more accurate understanding of the essence of distance learning system than teachers. Most students believe that the quality of the knowledge they receive is higher in face-to-face teaching, but they also believe that the advantage of distance learning is that there is no time limit on how long they can learn the material, and that they can create flexible schedules. Most teachers believe that the use of distance learning in the medical education system is most effective in training specialists for advanced training and retraining courses, as well as in training clinical residents. As the main conclusion of the article, the authors point out that in modern conditions of digitalization, it is expedient to use information and communication technologies and distance learning in a medical university only in combination with traditional teaching and methodical means and methods of professional training. At the same time, distance learning cannot be an alternative for the traditional form of professional training and retraining of doctors, but information and communication technologies and digital technologies, as well as distance learning should be integrated into the existing educational system of a medical university in the context of its digitalization.