Transforming medical education in Kazakhstan: Successful case of internationalization from Karaganda State Medical University

• Published in: Medical teacher Vol. 40; no. 5; pp. 481 - 487
• Main Authors: Riklefs, Viktor, Abakassova, Gulmira, Bukeyeva, Aliya, Kaliyeva, Sholpan, Serik, Bakhtiyar, Muratova, Alma, Dosmagambetova, Raushan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 04.05.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Academic disciplines; Active Learning; Aspiration; Autonomy; Colleges & universities; Competency-Based Education - organization & administration; Computer-Assisted Instruction - methods; Cooperative Behavior; Curricula; Curriculum; Distance learning; Education, Medical, Undergraduate - organization & administration; Education, Medical, Undergraduate - standards; Educational Change; Faculty, Medical - organization & administration; Globalization; Human resources; Humans; Integrated Activities; Integrated Curriculum; Internationality; Internet; Interprofessional Relations; Kazakhstan; Labor Force Development; Learning Activities; Lectures; Medical education; Medical schools; Medical technology; Mobility; Multiple choice; Problem based learning; Public health; Simulation; Simulation Training; Staff Development - organization & administration; Teachers; Teamwork; Tests; Universities; Kazakhstan
• ISSN: 0142-159X; 1466-187X; 1466-187X
• DOI: 10.1080/0142159X.2018.1441989

Background: Medical education in Kazakhstan has been literally transformed in the past 10 years. Kazakhstan inherited the Soviet-time discipline-based teacher-centered system of education when no decisions could be made independently. The curriculum was mostly governed in a traditional way, with lectures being the core, little use of e-learning tools, and assessment through oral exams and multiple-choice questions. Most of the universities still preserve the subject-based curriculum with elements of integrated learning. Methods: Being the most active member of International Space Education, Karaganda State Medical University (KSMU) took the initiative to adapt the full integrated curriculum mostly based on problem-based, team-based learning, and use of virtual patient cases. The given approach was chosen because of active involvement of our University in nine Tempus and Erasmus+projects including reforming of Public Health and Nursing curriculum, human resources development, active learning, credit mobility, and move towards autonomy of medical schools. Results: KSMU became the coordinator of two of these projects, taking its active position in internationalization of medical education. We actively use technology-based medical education, pro-actively adapting deliberate practice in acquiring essential practical skills, for which KSMU was recognized by an ASPIRE-to-Excellence Award in simulation. Conclusions: Kazakhstan hopes to become the leader in medical education in Central Asia and suggests other Universities in the area to adopt its approach to internationalization of medical education.