FIELD PRACTICE OF 7TH YEAR MEDICAL INTERNS IN KAZAKHSTAN’S CLINICS: EXPERIENCE IN TRAINING GENERAL PRACTITIONERS

The program, implemented by the West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, includes five months of field practice under the supervision of experienced general practitioners (GPs) in four regions of West Kazakhstan and the neighboring Kyzylorda region. Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of a practice-oriented training format for 7th-year medical interns in primary care clinics in Kazakhstan. Material and methods. Data were collected by surveying 159 interns (response rate: 80%) to assess the level of satisfaction and skill acquisition in a remote format via a Google form. Results. Analysis of interns’ responses revealed high levels of satisfaction (93.7% for workshops and 91.8% for on-the-job practice) and significant increases in clinical, communication, and documentation skills. The practice also addresses the urgent need for young specialists in public clinics, which has a positive impact on the provision of health services. Discussion. Factors contributing to the success of the programme included mentor support and regional presence, while challenges such as adaptation difficulties and documentation burden were noted. Recommendations for improving the programme included increasing the number of clinical sessions and greater specialisation opportunities. The study highlights the importance of on-site practice in developing the professional competence and readiness of future general practitioners. Conclusions. On-site practice for interns has proven to be effective in preparing future general practitioners. It contributes to the development of professional skills, confidence and independence in young professionals. Future prospects for the programme include expanding the practice to new regions and optimising educational approaches.