Improving the methodological framework for assessing psychological readiness for training at the School of Dentistry

BACKGROUND: Training students at the School of Dentistry requires extensive knowledge and practical skills, as mandated by the applicable Federal Educational Standards of Higher Education. By evaluating the development of certain abilities, one can determine a student’s interest in and aptitude for various areas of knowledge, as well as predict their academic success. Successful professional training in dentistry is associated with students’ levels of logical, mathematical, and spatial thinking, professional focus, and their tendency toward addictive behavior. Based on this analysis, we propose an automated diagnostic suite, Assessment of Psychological Readiness for Studying at a Medical University, to evaluate future students’ psychological readiness for studying dentistry at a medical university. AIM: To develop a system that determines the degree of cognitive ability development, commitment to mastering a medical profession, individual adaptability, and the propensity for addictive behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following an analysis of existing psychological study methods and the characteristics of professional training in a medical university, the School of Dentistry proposed an automated suite, Assessment of Psychological Readiness for Studying at a Medical University. RESULTS: The results of the automated suite study include the assessments the effectiveness of the methods Arithmetic Calculations, Syllogisms and Spatial Thinking as well as general intelligence. Individual adaptability, behavioral control, communicative potential, and ethical normativity are evaluated using the Multilevel Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) on Adaptability. The propensity for addictive behavior is assessed according to the scales Addictive Tendency, Addictive Propensity, Addictive Behavior and Addictive Disorder of the Addictive Propensity method. The degree of commitment to mastering a medical profession is determined using the Motivation method. Special abilities in the field of life safety are assessed based on the results of the Special Abilities in the field of Life Safety test. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed automated suite, Assessment of Psychological Readiness for Studying at a Medical University, allows for the accurate identification of students’ cognitive ability levels, individual adaptability, addictive tendencies, and professional focus in the School of Dentistry.