Family Medicine

Established in 1997

Launched in Armenia in 1996, the Health Care System Reform Program in Armenia was planning the establishment of a Family Medicine / General Practice Medicine (PHC) system in the Primary Health Care (PHC) system. The formation of academic institutions was a possible precondition for that.

 In 1997, the Chair of Family Medicine was established within YSMU to create the subject “Family Medicine” in the undergraduate and postgraduate educational programs, which until 2011 was headed by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Mikayel Narimanyan. In the same year, a chair of family medicine was established within the National Institute of Health (NIH) of the RA Ministry of Health, which was headed by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Samvel Hovhannisyan.In 2001, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the YSMU’s Department of Family Medicine staff established the Uniform Family Medicine Education Program (CMIS), which sets out all the knowledge, skills, approaches, teaching methods and requirements resources: The above-mentioned two departments undertook the implementation of a one-year family medicine training program for primary health care physicians (precinct therapists, pediatricians, rural outpatient physicians).In 1999, by the order of the RA Ministry of Health, the specialty of family medicine program and the program of clinical residency aimed at acquiring the profession was approved. In the same year, the YSMU received the first clinical residents specializing in family medicine.In 2000, a 5-day introductory course in family medicine was introduced in the undergraduate education program of YSMU Faculty of General Medicine.In 2001-2011, more than 1300 health care physicians were trained in the departments of family medicine of YSMU.In 2007-2011, the department taught “Healthy Lifestyle” and “First Aid” courses to first-year students of all YSMU faculties.In 2011, as a result of the unification of the educational component of the NIH of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia with YSMU, the chairs of the NIU and YSMU family medicine were united. The position of the head of the newly created chair was entrusted to Professor Samvel Hovhannisyan, who headed until 2012. 2015 – 2017, the teaching of “First Aid” was resumed.2012- 2017, the chair has been headed by Associate Professor Karine Malayan.Since 2017 the Head of the Department is Prof. Mikayel Narimanyan.

The department has organized a 5-day introductory cycle course in “Family Medicine” subject in the 5th year pre-diploma curriculum of general medicine and military medical faculties, as well as a 5-day cyclic course in “Polyclinic Therapy” subject for master’s students.The teaching in this department is conducted in Armenian, English and Russian languages. During the training, students and doctors have the opportunity to use the rich library of the department, which is equipped with high-quality literature in Armenian, Russian and English. The department also has a modern mannequin, an equipped laboratory with molds, and a “model” family doctor’s office.The training is organized through lectures and practical classes. Lectures are conducted in combination with interactive and didactic methods. All learning topics are presented in PowerPoint, there are also printed materials given to the students and instructions for learners included in thematic training packages. In addition, during the classes the students are being shown videos or short films on some topics. During their teaching programe students give exam on clinical skills.Problem-based learning (PBL) methodology, various simulation methods – role-plays, clinical simulations are used during the practical classes in the skills laboratory of the YSMU Chair of Family Medicine.In the Skills Laboratory, students have the opportunity to develop the following clinical skills:• General medical examination• Otoscopy• Examination of the fundoscopy• bladder catheterization.• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, etc.The department pays special attention to the development of counseling skills given to the patient in both classroom and clinical settings.One of the cornerstones of the department training program is the organization of preventive work, the management of the most common diseases and health problems in the primary health care.The students at the “Heratsi” University Polyclinic next to the department observe the management of patients in outpatient conditions, where it is carried out “in a natural context”. Health problems are managed considering family, work and other social factors.Knowledge assessment is carried out in accordance with the procedure established at YSMU.The chair also provides postgraduate education. The duration of residency in Family Medicine / General Practice is 2 years. The program is based on the Uniform Family Medicine Education Program (CMIS), which is in line with the best traditions of the world over 30 years of international experience in family medicine / general medical practice.Within the framework of the program of continuous medicine for primary care physicians, the following training courses are organized for 1, 2 and 6 weeks: • “WB Selected Issues”• “Outpatient therapy”• “Outpatient Pediatrics”• “ICS Clinical Skills”• “Palliative medicine”• Modern pulmonology, etc.

The main directions of the research work carried out in the chair are:Clinical issues of PHC ring reforms, diseases of the respiratory system, early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, continuous management. The staff of the department published more than 100 scientific articles, abstracts, which have been presented at Armenian and international conferences.

Since 1999, with the support of various international organizations, the staff of the department has undergone numerous trainings in Western universities (Norway, Estonia, Austria, Germany, England, USA) on modern teaching methods, design of clinical training programs, modern standards of clinical work. Leading specialists from abroad have organized various clinical trainings in the department for the staff of the department and for primary health care specialists, providing further in-depth methodological advice. The specialty Family Medicine / General Practice requires close collaboration with other clinical professionals. In collaboration with other YSMU clinical departments, with the support of international organizations working in Armenia from 2001-2012 (WB PIU, Global Fund, USAID Projects PRIME II, NOVA, PHCR), the staff of the department developed several training packages for primary care physicians and clinical guidelines.The Chair is currently collaborating with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) HS-STAR (Armenian Health System Strengthening) Program, participating in quality control of medical care, brief clinical procedures, development of general education materials, and training. The family medicine training program has been highly praised by international experts and its results have been presented at international conferences. The Academic Association of Family Medicine Health NGO, as a component of the continuing medical education program, organizes methodological seminars and conferences for primary care physicians every year. The NGO collaborates with Swedish, British and american family physicians, who conduct practical training in the Department of Clinical Family Skills twice a year.