IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION OF PHYSICIANS ON THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AND COMORBIDITIES

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate current approaches to the training of physicians on comorbidity and multimorbidity and to develop and implement a training module “Comorbidity in patients with coronary artery disease: current approaches to treatment” in the Training Center "Institute of Postgraduate Education"  of the State Institution of Sciences “Research and Practical Center of Preventive and Clinical Medicine” State Administrative Department (SIS “RPC PCM” SAD). Material and methods. We carried out an analysis and generalization of recent publications on the topic of the management challenges in patients with coronary artery disease and comorbidities and review the literature focusing on postgraduate training of medical doctors in the area of multimorbidity After the implementation of the training module we made a survey of 60 physicians on their assessment of the information provided. Results and discussion: Current scientific research substantiates the feasibility of introducing both face-to-face trainings and master classes, as well as distance learning to optimize the training programmes for doctors in managing patients with multimorbidity and comorbidity. We developed and implemented a training module “Comorbidity in patients with coronary artery disease: current approaches to treatment” in the Training Center "Institute of Postgraduate Education" of SIS “RPC PCM” SAD. We identified major theoretical issues and practical skills that should be acquired by the physician, we worked out the methodology for presenting information during full-time and distance learning. The educational process includes lectures (including the use of distance learning), and a workshop format and master classes with the analysis of specific clinical cases. Conclusions: 97.1% of respondents rated positively the implementation of continuing medical education on the topic of coronary artery disease management in patients with comorbidities with the use of distance learning and the appliance of master classes with the analysis of clinical cases. Optimal educational format is a significant issue which needs further research. Any training on the management of multimorbidity in practice must be outcome-oriented, in order to change practice and improve clinical outcomes for complex patients.