At the 17th All-Russian Conference with International Participation "Medical Education Week 2026," which was held at Sechenov University, a general meeting of the Association "Council of Rectors of Medical and Pharmaceutical Higher Education Institutions" was held. Derzhavin University has been a member of the association since April 2024. Nikolai Denisov, Acting Director of the Institute of Medicine and Health Preservation, represented TSU.
Practicing physicians, scientists, teachers, industry partners, experts, government representatives, and volunteers participated in the forum, discussing current issues in the development of healthcare, science, and education.
The key topics included training healthcare personnel according to new quality standards, development trends in higher medical education, and mechanisms for improving the legal framework for training specialists to address shortages in the healthcare system. Particular attention was paid to the development of mentoring. Conference participants also discussed the digitalization of education, the development of practice-oriented technologies, youth startups in medical education, and more.
In his welcoming address, Russian Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko noted that the ministry is actively developing standard continuing professional education programs for all levels of training in medicine and pharmacy. The minister announced that significant legislative changes were introduced in 2025, laying a fundamental foundation for personnel training. One of the key innovations is the transition from exclusively distance learning to combined forms, combining in-person and distance learning where necessary. However, fully distance learning will be limited and its use is possible only in cases stipulated by federal laws.
Furthermore, organizations implementing medical and pharmaceutical education programs at all levels will be required to obtain a certificate from Roszdravnadzor confirming compliance with the requirements for personnel and logistical support for medical and pharmaceutical education programs no later than September 1, 2026.
During the general meeting, Association members discussed the transformation of the medical education system and the strategy for training highly qualified specialists.