The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all aspects of life and learning in the world and in Ukraine. Quarantine restrictions made it impossible to conduct the educational process in medical universities by traditional methods (oral and written questioning, testing, attending lectures, participation in clinical trials and operations), which led to the restructuring of the educational process and the transition to distance learning. The aim of the work was to highlight the features of the organization of distance learning in higher medical institutions of Ukraine during the pandemic on the example of I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University. Learning management systems (LMSs) use the online learning platform Moodle to effectively conduct distance learning. Due to the dynamism, modularity, flexibility of this platform, students have continuous access to educational materials, undergo current and final test control of the level of knowledge acquisition and preparation for the exam Step-1, Step-2. The online service Microsoft Teams allows teachers and students to communicate in real time, conduct video lectures, discussions, surveys, control of students’ self-preparation, increase the motivational component of training by creating creative questions in Forms, running marathons and others. A high-quality distance learning process requires its digitization and informatization, teamwork of teachers and students, changing the role of the teacher as a mentor and coordinator, increasing the motivational component by introducing creative approaches to learning.

The introduction of European standards in the training of competent, highly qualified specialists who are able to use the theoretical knowledge acquired in the learning process in practice, has led to increased requirements for the quality of their professional development. Clinical anatomy and operative surgery is a discipline that allows students to apply clinical thinking in practice, because only on the basis of knowledge about the anatomical features of the structure of a particular part of the human body can choose successful surgical treatment tactics. The aim of the work was to highlight the peculiarities of teaching clinical anatomy and operative surgery at the Department of Operative Surgery and Clinical Anatomy of I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University and ways to improve them in modern conditions. At the Department of Operative Surgery and Clinical Anatomy of I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University pays attention not only to the theoretical but also to the practical component of student training. Students independently conduct training operations on experimental animals, thus consolidating theoretical knowledge and gaining practical skills, learn to work in a team, perform other functional duties of members of the operating team, and in the postoperative period observe the body’s response to surgery. The transition of the educational process to the distance form with the introduction of the online platform Microsoft Teams made it possible to conduct classes in real time, and the use of an interactive method of business game allowed to ‘virtually’ conduct educational operations. The use of virtual and augmented reality technology gives students the opportunity to learn more about the subject, to gain experience to which they do not have access, especially in conditions of quarantine restrictions.

The introduction of distance learning in higher educational medical estalishments underconditions of pandemia has led to a reorganization of the educational process usingnew teaching methods, information and communication technologies (online platforms,video communication programs). In the system of training a qualified physician, clinicalanatomy and operative surgery occupy a leading place, as it develops clinical thinking,stimulates teamwork and is the basis for further study of surgery.The aim of the article - to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of teachingclinical anatomy and operative surgery to foreign students in terms of distance learningand ways to improve them.Conclusions. The study of clinical anatomy and operative surgery by foreign studentsin the context of distance learning has a number of advantages and disadvantagescompared to the traditional form. The use of the online platform Moodle (with studymaterials) and the Microsoft Teams service made it possible to conduct video lecturesand seminars online using interactive teaching methods that promote the motivationincrease and independence of foreign students. "Virtual" operational interventions usingan interactive method is a business game which allows not only to study the stages ofoperations but also to consolidate the algorithm of actions in different circumstances. Theuse of virtual and augmented reality technologies in the educational process becomes theclinical anatomy mastering better, makes it possible to improve its surgical component,which is especially important in the absence of the possibility of training operations.

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