PhD Afanasenko O.V., PhD Kuznetsova E.V.

Bogomolets National Medical University,

Kyiv, Ukraine

Role of research work in pharmacist training

The training of highly qualified specialists, capable of successfully solving given tasks and problems related to scientific and technical progress (STP) is only possible when educational process is closely tied to research work (RW). The improvement of higher education is impossible without deep understanding of role of science in training of highly qualified and competent specialists. Development of STP dictates new and increased demands of students’ knowledge, their creative growth, ability to find the most rational, constructive, technological, organizational and economical solutions. They should be able to navigate through scientific information; to set and solve different and fundamentally new tasks.

Unification of educational and scientific processes of higher education institutions is one of the important stages of higher education in Ukraine. The main task of universities, academies and institutes is implementation of scientific and creative activities for participants of educational process, preparation of specialists of the highest qualifications and the use of obtained results in aforementioned educational process [1]. The accomplishment of these goals is possible in case of presenting young specialists with newest information in area of scientific research. This forces high schools to widely engage students into scientific research.

In department of pharmaceutical, biological and toxicological chemistry of Bogomolets National Medical University the scientific work is mandatory part of future pharmacists’ training and is implemented with the aim to realize the intellectual potential of students and to increase their creative initiative. The research work is carried out by teachers and students – members of department’s student science circle, which allows teachers to improve their professional level and students – to uncover their creative potential. Student science circle of department of pharmaceutical, biological and toxicological chemistry of Bogomolets National Medical University unites students of pharmaceutical faculty, who are interested in biological and pharmaceutical chemistry. The circle is structural subdivision of Kysel Student Scientific Society of Bogomolets National Medical University.

Students are involved into research work during different periods:

1) During educational process (practice lessons, writing of essays and abstracts, individual tasks and laboratory works, internship);

2) During extracurricular time (participation in science circles, where students develop theoretical and practical skills in scientific research, for example: writing articles, designing and manufacturing of experimental installations, giving speeches, and so on) [2].

Main emphasis of research work in department of pharmaceutical, biological and toxicological chemistry of Bogomolets National Medical University is experimental rationale of advisability of new coordinating compounds of germanium with organic bioligands as potential medicines of cardioprotective action. Members of circle independently examine changes in values of protein and lipid exchange influenced by complex germanium compounds with organic acids, based on a model of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats as a part of department’s scientific topic “Study of myocardial damage during experimental cardiomyopathy and its correction with new coordinating compounds of germanium and compounds of metabolic action”. Senior students study the stability of polyvinylpyrrolidone complexes with quercetin, rutin and salts of heavy metals to create new medicines with cardioprotective and detoxifying properties.     

As a result, students are, after completing the theoretical course and implementing the study on chosen subject, able to learn the methodology and technique of scientific research, as well as sort out and analyze necessary information, formulate goals and problems, plan and conduct an experiment. Students also should be able to process observation results and evaluate errors, compare experiment results to theoretical premises and formulate conclusions of scientific research; make a report, article or paper on results of scientific research.

Scientific preparation of students in higher education institutions is one of the main training programs. Making students interested in research activity contributes to development of their creative skills, professional competence and allows them to become competent specialists [3].

Students, participating in scientific research, also take part in many annual science forums and international congresses in Ukraine and abroad. Scientific circle members participate in pharmaceutical olympiads and student scientific work contests.

Research activity of the department is tied to educational and pedagogical activities. Constant involvement of teachers into scientific activity leads to improved educational and methodological processes due to the fact that results of fundamental and applied research, as well as modern training methods and techniques, are all integrated into educational process.

This integration serves as the basis for publication of higher level scientific and methodical literature (textbooks, tutorials), as well as correction of lecture courses and practical lessons. Scientific development of department’s personnel found its impact in “Biological chemistry” discipline during the topics “Biological oxidation”, “Exchange of simple and complex lipids”, “Biochemistry of blood” and “Water-soluble vitamins”. Students are presented with specific data that illustrates corrective action of nicotinic acid and its compound with germanium they have on development process of oxidative stress and antioxidant protection mechanisms in tissue. The practical results of scientific research substantially increase possibilities of prevention and treatment of cardiomyopathy and intoxication with anthracycline antibiotics [4].

Thus, scientific activity in medical (pharmaceutical) higher educational institution is directed towards increasing the training level of pharmacists according to accomplishments of modern science, as well as improving all forms and methods of educational process. The level of results of scientific work can be viewed as index of professorial and teaching stuff qualification and directly affects the training of specialists, which satisfy Master's qualification level. Implementation of scientific work into educational process increases efficiency and quality of education it higher educational institutions.

Literature

1.       The Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education” – http://zakon4.rada. gov.ua/laws/show/1556-18;

2.       Nauchno-issledovatel’skaya rabota – odin iz vazhnejshih kachestv obrazovatel'nogo processa // Scientific journal ÊóáÃÀÓ, ¹95(01), 2014 pages 1-15.– http://ej.kubagro.ru/2014/01/pdf/36.pdf

3.       Standarty i rekomendacii shodo zabespechennya yakosti v Evropejskomu prostori vyshoi osvity (ESG) – Êyiv, 2015page 32.

4.       Anufieva O.L., Snisarenko O.S.. Organ³zac³ya vprovadzhennya naukovyh rezultatyv – golovna umova efektyvnoi p³dgotovky molodyh naukovc³v // Education issues: scientific and methodological digest // Institute of innovative technology and education of Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine – Êyiv, 2013. – issue76. – pages 102-107.