Medical self-government on medical students not meeting requirements

Universities affiliated with the Conference of Rectors of Academic Medical Universities (KRAUM) would be ready to accept students from these institutions.

Such a declaration was obtained from KRAUM chairman Prof. Marcin Gruchala by Vice President of the Supreme Medical Council (NRL) Dr. Mateusz Kowalczyk during Thursday's KRAUM meeting attended by Deputy Health Minister Wojciech Konieczny and Director of the Health Ministry's Medical Personnel Department Małgorzata Zadorożna.

One of the topics of the meeting was the change of regulations desired by the medical self-government to close medical faculties that do not meet the relevant requirements and have received a negative opinion from the PKA. When asked by a Gazeta Lekarska journalist whether, if this were to happen, KRAUM-affiliated universities would be ready to accept students from these institutions, Prof. Marcin Gruchała replied: "If there would be a closure of the medical faculty, the students must be admitted somewhere so that they continue their studies. If the Ministry of Health approaches KRAUM with such a need, we will certainly approach it with openness to students. I believe this is our duty."

Asked how he assesses the idea that in place of the medical faculty at universities that have recently launched such studies, the possibility of training in a new field, such as medical physician assistant, should be created in cooperation with the ministry, Prof. Gruchala said: "Undoubtedly, we have deficits in many medical professions, and the health care system also needs people who play a supportive role. It is extremely important to educate medical caregivers or physician assistants. I think that some universities - especially those without an academic profile - could provide such training, just as they successfully teach students in practical fields - nursing, midwifery or paramedicine."

The certification of medical skills was also discussed. The chairman of KRAUM and at the same time rector of the Medical University of Gdansk noted that KRAUM has nothing against expanding the group of institutions certifying medical skills to include the medical self-government and medical universities, "The medical self-government conducts numerous courses and trainings that expand knowledge and skills. The range of institutions that would be allowed to participate in the certification process should be decided by competence. Ultimately, all requirements are verified by the Medical Center for Postgraduate Education anyway," assured Prof. Gruchala.

Source: NIL