Readiness of medical graduates to self-guided work in primary health care organizations

Aim. To study the opinion of senior medical students about their readiness for self-guided practice in primary health care organizations.Material and methods. In 2023, a continuous cross- sectional social study was conducted among 5th and 6th year students of the Northern State Medical University (Arkhangelsk), of which 137 were from pediatric faculty (5th year — 70, 6th year — 65), 266 — general medicine faculty (5th year — 140, 6th year — 126).Results. An insufficient level of readiness of medical graduates for self-guided practice in primary health care facilities was revealed. Only 19,0%, after passing the primary accreditation, aim to immediately work as a local pediatrician and a local general practitioner, while 44,2% are not ready to begin independent practical activity. The main work direction of a local physician is considered to be prevention by 67,2% and 28,6% of senior pediatric and general medicine students, respectively. More than 75% of graduates are ready to work independently in a medical information system, but 15,1% of respondents are not sure that they will be able to independently make an electronic sick note, while 41% — a referral for disability examination, and about a third of graduates — fill out a statistical electronic form.Conclusion. The study results confirm the need to strengthen the practice in the training of medical students and introduce a mentoring system in primary health care facilities.