Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy - Education

Education

Education is conducted in Russian for Russian students and both in Russian and English for foreign students. SPbSPMA is recognized by the World Health Organization and included in the World List of Medical Schools WHO in 1965. SPbSPMA is listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED). The academy has a high status among pediatric medical schools. SPbSPMA offers a medical school diploma, postgraduate training, further training for physicians and faculty members, postgraduate training in various specialties, and training opportunities for graduated and pursuing postdoctoral degrees physicians.

The education is provided by the Faculty of Pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine and continues 6 years. Medical students spend the first three years of training studying science, biomedical, liberal, and disease-preventive disciplines. The educational program includes all subjects required by any Russian medical school. The unique trait of education at SPbSPMA is paying close attention to the ontogenetic features in medical science studies. Moreover, students receive an extensive laboratory training in human anatomy, general chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, histology, physiology and pathology .

From the first courses of training at the Academy, students have access to their patients. They practice integrated interdisciplinary approach to study interpenetrated fundamental science courses and clinical subjects.

Using the most advanced methods and technology, students learn classical techniques of manipulation with real objects. They sample tissues for histological research, prepare corpses to refine surgical skills in the courses of normal anatomy and operative surgery, work with laboratory animals for experiments in the courses of pathological physiology, pharmacology, etc. The Academy Library has 700000 volumes and has many reading rooms. In the main building complex of academy, there are 20 educational, clinical and administrative buildings over the area of 60000 m². Students of their third year of education begin to explore introductory courses of Internal Diseases, Surgery and Pediatrics. In addition to general diagnostics and semiotics, the basic skills of the doctor, much attention is paid to the peculiarities of development, nutrition and behavior of healthy children. Successfully finishing the third year and passing summer clinical practices, students obtain the qualification of student nurses ("the honey brother").

In the fourth year of education, students undergo advanced training in Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Surgery, Pediatrics, Child Surgery, Infectious Disease of Adults and Children, and other disciplines. Students spend their fourth and fifth years in clinical rotations on the basis of leading health care institutions of the city of Saint Petersburg and its region.

The Children's Hospital of the Academy is the largest in Russia and is also used as the primary clinical base for pediatric disciplines. At fourth and fifth courses students study classical clinical cases within the Faculty courses of Internal Diseases, Surgery and Pediatrics, with emphasis in the etiology, diagnosis and pathogenesis of diseases. In total, these courses are provided within 72 weeks of clinical rotations and 9 weeks of lectures and examinations.

After the fourth year of training at the Academy, there is a 6-week summer practice in Internal Diseases and Surgery. After the fifth year, students spend 4 weeks of summer practice as an assistant of Pediatrician in an outpatient pediatric clinic. The entire sixth year of study is devoted to in-depth studies of entire range of Internal Diseases, Surgery and Pediatrics. Students study the individual manifestation of the most important diseases through a multiple number of clinical cases. The future medical doctors gain an extensive practice in a differential diagnosis of diseases and pay particular attention to their prevention and treatment.

The sixth course includes 37 weeks of classes and 3 weeks of state exams. The final state certification is conducted by the special State Committee, according to the Russian federal standards and norms for medical universities. Also, the academy guarantees the opportunity to continue training in clinical internships in more than 20 residencies for selected medical specialties and get into the postgraduate school at the department with a theoretical profile.

Currently, SPbSPMA trains more than 3000 students. Academy graduates receive comprehensive health education to practice Medicine as general practitioners, medical specialists, including pediatricians, and medical researchers. Approximately 60% of graduates work in various areas of Pediatrics, the remaining 40% work in "adult" medicine or in experimental medical research. The academy conducts extensive research work. The main attention is focused on the normal development of organism and pathology within an age aspect. Medical students, being members of student scientific associations and academic societies, also participate in research.

Many pediatricians are graduated from the former (Leningrad Pediatric Medical Institute (LPMI) - SPbSPMA. Many physicians of other specialties are emerged from the walls of the academy. Also, for many decades, the academy is an international center of higher medical education. Over the past half century, several thousands of foreign students from 70 countries and from 4 continents have graduated from the Pediatric Academy. Currently, students from over 50 countries are training here. Applications to the SPbSPMA are considered without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, handicap, political beliefs, and presence of diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation. Also, there is a special annual preparatory department for foreign applicants where they can learn Russian language and have introductory courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

To be admitted to the academy, every applicant must pass three competitive exams in Russian language, Biology, Chemistry.

The academy has 4 dormitories. The best of them has built as apartments/flats. There are local libraries, kitchens, bars and cafes, classrooms, reading and sports halls, etc. in dormitories. All graduates of the Academy have equal rights in relation to the recognition of their diplomas in all countries. Academy graduates are licensed for medical practice in Russia and outside of it and are currently engaged in medical practice in different areas of medical activities in over 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America and Australia and even in Antarctica. Several thousand MDs, the academy graduates practicing in Arab countries, Israel, Canada, the U.S. and other countries, maintain relations with their Alma mater, SPbSPMA.