Center for Testing and Clinical Skills Development of I.K. Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy

In 2010, to improve medical education and develop clinical skills of students and residents, the Rector of KSMA issued an order to establish the Clinical Skills Training Center. This center became operational in 2011. In 2013, with the financial and technical support of the Swiss Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, the center was significantly expanded and transformed into the Center for Clinical Skills Development and Knowledge Assessment.

On November 28, 2016, by Order No. 231, the center was reorganized into the “OSCE Clinical Skills Development and Industrial Practice Centre”, combining the training center and the industrial practice sector. In 2023, the industrial practice was separated into an individual sector, and the Center received a new name – “Center for Testing and Development of Clinical Skills”.

In various years the Center has been managed by:

• Candidate of medical sciences, Associate Professor Mambetalieva D.K. (2013)
• Candidate of medical sciences, Associate Professor Nurbekova U.A. (2013)
• Dr. M.B. Iskakov (2010-2012, 2014-2018)
• Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor Mergenov A.E. (2018-2020)
• Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor Niyazbekov K.I. (2020-2024)

Currently, the Director of the Centre is Ph.D. Zhailoobaeva A.T.

In 2021, the management decided to build a new building for the Center. The Capsule Laying Ceremony was held on January 14, 2022 with the participation of the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Edil Baisalov, Rector of KSMA Professor Indira Kudaibergenova, staff, teachers, and students. More than 240 million soms was spent on construction and modern simulation equipment of high level of realism for the amount of more than 183 million soms was purchased. The new building is equipped with modern simulation devices and control systems.

 

The official opening of the new building took place on July 3, 2024 with the participation of the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Zhaparov, Minister of Health Alymkadyr Beishenaliev, Minister of Education and Science Dokturgul Kendirbaeva, as well as representatives of various organizations, staff and guests. The new five-storey educational building with a total area of 5860 square meters includes:

- Two computer testing rooms for 450 seats

 

• - Multidisciplinary Simulation Centre

 

 

• - Simulation clinic with labor, operating and resuscitation rooms, laparoscopy, ultrasound, endoscopy and neonatology rooms

 

 

- Facilities for Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) stations

- Research Resource Center with access to electronic libraries and scientific databases

- Departments of Research Management and Nursing Management.

Students, residents and interns study at the center, knowledge assessment is carried out using OSCE and computer testing, as well as entrance and final exams. The center also serves as a venue for Olympiads and preparation for international competitions. In addition, first aid courses are held here for employees of law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Center Opportunities:

- Ability to simulate clinical situations that are as close to real situations as possible, but safe for patients (on modern simulation devices);

- A professional action can be repeated several times to develop skill and eliminate errors (on moulages, simulators and modern simulation devices);

- Conditions are created to develop and maintain professional emergency response skills required of every of physician (e.g. cardiopulmonary resuscitation);

- Student's knowledge is assessed (computerized testing and OSCE).

Center Goals:

- To provide comprehensive assistance to students, physician interns and clinical residents in mastering practical skills and improving the quality of education;

- Optimizing the practical orientation of medical education;

- Develop and enhance the clinical skills of students, interns and clinical residents;

- Formation of clinical thinking in trainees.

Center Objectives:

- Formation of practical professional skills in students and clinical residents on modern simulation devices in accordance with the approved plans and programmes of specialties of higher professional education, implemented by the academy.

- Assessment of knowledge of students, clinical residents by OSCE and computerized testing.