CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH COMPETENCIES IN THE TRAINING OF FUTURE DOCTORS: AN ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL IMPERATIVES UNDER MARTIAL LAW
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Published:
Aug 10, 2026
Abstract
This article examines the issue of developing critical public health competencies within the training system for future doctors in Ukraine under conditions of prolonged martial law. The author emphasises that the traditional focus of medical education on peacetime clinical skills is insufficient to meet modern challenges. Based on bibliosemantic analysis and a cross-sectional study of students, key crisis factors are identified: infrastructure deficits, epidemiological threats, psychosocial problems, risks of CBRN incidents, exacerbation of chronic non-communicable diseases, managerial and economic dysfunctions, and demographic changes. In light of these challenges, educational imperatives are outlined, including mastering the skills of medical triage, infection control, providing psychological first aid, responding to environmental and occupational risks, managing chronic conditions, crisis management, and analysing demographic trends. The author justifies the need to integrate these competencies into curricula by shifting from a disciplinary model to an integrated competency-based approach that combines clinical, military medical, and psychosocial training.
How to Cite
Drobotenko, V., & Sivak, O. (2026). CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH COMPETENCIES IN THE TRAINING OF FUTURE DOCTORS: AN ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL IMPERATIVES UNDER MARTIAL LAW. Academia Polonica, 76(3), 439-453. https://doi.org/10.23856/7650
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Keywords
professional competencies, public health, future doctors, wartime challenges, higher medical education, martial law, medical students, educational programmes.
References
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25. World Health Organization. (2017). WHO simulation exercise manual: A practical guide and tool for planning, conducting and evaluating simulation exercises for outbreaks and public health emergency preparedness and response. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/254751
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27. Voronenko, Yu. V., Tolstanov, O. K., & Klimenko, O. V. (2021). The experience of the COVID- 19 pandemic as a catalyst for change in the training of medical personnel on epidemiological safety issues. Ukraine. Health of the Nation, (2), 12–18. https://doi.org/10.24144/2077-6594.2. 1.2021.233512
28. Zimenkovskyi, B. S., Hrezhgotskyi, M. R., & Lutsiuk, O. D. (2018). Contemporary features of the medical education paradigm in Ukraine. Medical Education, (2), 61–64. https://doi. org/10.11603/me.2414-5998.2018.2.8797
2. Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2022). Certain Issues Regarding the Implementation of the Programme of State Guarantees for Medical Care for the Population in 2023: Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1464 of 27 December 2022 (‘Legislation of Ukraine’ database). https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1464-2022-%D0%BF
3. Chorna, V. V. (2020). Motivation and work capacity of mental health professionals as predictors of their psychological well-being. Environment and Health, (4), 53–62. https://doi. org/10.32402/dovkil2020.04.053
4. Coordination Centre for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2023). All- Ukrainian Mental Health Programme ‘How Are You?’ (initiated by O. Zelenska). https://howa- reu.com/
5. Epstein, R. M., & Krasner, M. S. (2013). Physician resilience: what it means, why it matters, and how to promote it. Academic Medicine, 88(3), 301–303. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM. 0b013e318280cff0
6. Golovanova, I. A., Belikova, I. V., Lyakhova, N. O., & et al. (2021). Organisational and pedagogical approaches to the study of the discipline ‘Public Health’ by students of higher medical education. Medical Education, (2), 25–30. https://doi.org/10.11603/me.2414-5998.2021.2.12270
7. Gruzueva, T. S., & Antoniuk, O. Ya. (2023). Medical and social rationale for improving the organisation of prevention and control of chronic non-communicable diseases in the context of the development of the public health system. Clinical and Preventive Medicine, (5), 90–99. https://doi.org/10.31612/2616-4868.5.2023.13
8. Gudima, A. A., Tsymbaliuk, H. Y., Kashuba, M. O., & et al. (2019). Organisation of simulation training in pre-medical care in emergency situations. Medical Education, (3), 34–38. https://doi.org/10.11603/me.2414-5998.2019.3.9749
9. Guryanov, V. G., & Lyakhovchenko, O. A. (2020). Statistical justification of the need to develop practical competencies among healthcare organisers at the postgraduate level. Bulletin of Social Hygiene and Healthcare Organisation of Ukraine, (2), 35–41. https://doi.org/10.1 1603/1681-2786.2020.2.11326
10. Hushchuk, I. V., Ruden, V. V., & Haiduk, A. B. (2021). System-forming principles of public health as a priority component of national security. Environment and Health, (1), 16–24. https://doi.org/10.32402/dovkil2021.01.016
11. Khaustova, O. O., & Pinchuk, I. Ya. (2022). Coping with the hardships of war. Psychosomatic Medicine and General Practice, 7(1), Article e0701357. https://doi.org/10.26766/pmgp. v7i1.357
12. Kornatskyi, V. M., Tretyak, I. V., Revenko, I. L., & et al. (2021). Public health and cardiovascular diseases: an analytical and statistical guide. State Institution ‘M. D. Strazhesko National Scientific Centre Institute of Cardiology’. http://www.strazhesko.org.ua/upload/2021-posibnyk-zdorovya.pdf
13. Libanova, E. M. (2022). The war with Russia: how to deal with the demographic consequences. Economy of Ukraine, (12), 3–19. https://doi.org/10.15407/economyukr.2022.12.003
14. Lukashuk, O. M. (2023). Monitoring the state of public health as an object of public administration in the context of full-scale war in Ukraine. Economics, Management and Administration, (2), 150–155. https://doi.org/10.26642/ema-2023-2(104)-150-155
15. Marushchak, M. I., Lykhatskyi, P. H., Fira, L. S., & et al. (2016). Simulation-based learning in medicine – an integral part of the training of specialist doctors. Medical Education, (4), 73–76. https://doi.org/10.11603/me.2414-5998.2016.4.7302
16. Ministry of Health of Ukraine, State Institution ‘Centre for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine’. (2024). Annual report on the state of public health in Ukraine and the epidemiological situation for 2023.
17. Myronuk, I. S., Slabkyi, H. O., & Bilak-Lukianchuk, V. Y. (2020). Training public health masters: an analysis of domestic experience and challenges. Modern Medical Technologies, (2), 36–40. https://doi.org/10.34287/MMT.2(45).2020.6
18. Myronuk, I. S., Slabkyi, H. O., Shcherbinska, O. S., & Bilak-Lukianchuk, V. Y. (2023). The consequences of the war with the Russian Federation for public health in Ukraine. Ukraine. Health of the Nation, (3), 100–106. https://doi.org/10.32782/2077-6594/2023.3/17
19. Nahorna, A. M., Sokolova, M. P., & Kononova, I. G. (2021). Occupational health of healthcare workers in Ukraine: current status and challenges. Ukrainian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 17(2), 95–104. https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2021.02.095
20. NATO Standardisation Office. (2019). Allied joint doctrine for medical support (AJP-4.10) (Edition C, Version 1). NATO. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/ system/uploads/attachment_data/file/908272/AJP-4.10_Edition_C_Version_1.pdf
21. Seifer, S. D. (1998). Service-learning: Community-campus partnerships for health professions education. Academic Medicine, 73(3), 273–277. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001888-1998 03000-00015
22. Svyryda, O. V. (2018). Innovative teaching methods in vocational education (project-based learning). Medical Education, (4), 77–80. https://doi.org/10.11603/me.2414-5998.2018.4.9326
23. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (2022). On the Public Health System: Law of Ukraine No. 2573-IX of 06.09.2022 (‘Legislation of Ukraine’ database). https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/ show/2573-20
24. World Health Organization. (2016). mhGAP intervention guide for mental, neurological and substance use disorders in non-specialised health settings: Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) (Version 2.0). https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/250239
25. World Health Organization. (2017). WHO simulation exercise manual: A practical guide and tool for planning, conducting and evaluating simulation exercises for outbreaks and public health emergency preparedness and response. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/254751
26. World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. (2023). Public health in Ukraine: situation analysis and priorities in the context of war. WHO. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/366562
27. Voronenko, Yu. V., Tolstanov, O. K., & Klimenko, O. V. (2021). The experience of the COVID- 19 pandemic as a catalyst for change in the training of medical personnel on epidemiological safety issues. Ukraine. Health of the Nation, (2), 12–18. https://doi.org/10.24144/2077-6594.2. 1.2021.233512
28. Zimenkovskyi, B. S., Hrezhgotskyi, M. R., & Lutsiuk, O. D. (2018). Contemporary features of the medical education paradigm in Ukraine. Medical Education, (2), 61–64. https://doi. org/10.11603/me.2414-5998.2018.2.8797
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