TRAINING FAMILY PHYSICIANS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF UKRAINIAN CONTEXT AND EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Introduction. In the current context of healthcare system reform in Ukraine, the training of qualified family physicians is critically important. Family physicians serve as a key link in providing primary healthcare, ensuring the integration and continuity of the treatment process. However, existing internship programs in Ukraine face a number of challenges, such as insufficient integration of theoretical and practical training, and the lack of a clearly defined status of an intern in a medical institution. The growing demand for primary healthcare specialists requires the implementation of European practices based on an integrated approach to learning, competency development, and mentorship. The aim of the study is to qualitatively assess the results of an anonymous survey conducted among second-year family medicine interns to identify the main gaps in the training process, comparing them with the best European internship practices.

Methods. To analyze the quality of physician training, an anonymous survey was conducted among 53 interns who had completed the General Practice-Family Medicine program. The collected responses were processed using content analysis. The units of analysis were semantic units, which were categorized into thematic categories. The inter-rater reliability coefficient was 0.84 (Cohen's kappa).

Results. The analysis of the interns' responses identified the key areas that require improvement in the training of family physicians in Ukraine. To ensure high-quality education, disciplines should be taught exclusively by specialists in general practice – family medicine, integrating theory and practice within a unified platform. The legal status of interns should be clearly defined, allowing them to actively participate in the treatment process. It is important to review the system of cycle rotation. Practical skills, particularly the provision of emergency care, should be practiced from the first days of training. The peer-to-peer format and the implementation of mentorship can improve the quality of knowledge acquisition and contribute to the professional development of interns. Gradual immersion in the professional environment will help reduce stress levels and prepare future specialists for real-world practice.

Discussion. Ukrainian medical interns aspire to update the existing internship training and adapt the best global practices considering the national context.