The University of Zagreb School of Medicine (UZSM) is the oldest school of medicine in the Republic of Croatia. This higher education and research institution organizes and teaches two integrated (undergraduate and graduate) studies in medicine (in Croatian and English), a university graduate study in nursing, three postgraduate PhD studies (Biomedicine and Health Sciences, in Croatian and English, and Neuroscience), numerous postgraduate specialist studies and an even greater number of organized continuing medical education programmes. The programmes with a long tradition continued their development by following changes in modern medical education, national changes in science and health care and are in line with expectations of the European Union. In accordance with the demands, the new study programmes have been introduced in the last decade.
The studies in medicine, to attain the Doctor of Medicine degree, last six years, that is twelve semesters. The importance of full education has also been recognised in the Bologna process, so the studies are conducted in an integrated manner. The knowledge and skills from different scientific disciplines which students have to acquire during their studies are grouped into five groups: general, basic medical, pre-clinical, clinical, and public health courses. Their semester schedule enables the optimal adoption of prescribed knowledge and skills. The forms of teaching are also adapted to the best possible acquisition of knowledge and skills. This is why the number of lectures is the smallest, but they are accompanied with many seminars and demonstrations, and the largest in number are practical exercises, working in clinical departments and in health care centres as well as in the field. During the entire study, elective courses are also held. Students learn to solve specific problems, applying knowledge from various disciplines simultaneously.
The students will first learn about the physical, chemical, and biological foundations of life, and then about the structure and function of the human body. Many functions of the body are studied through laboratory animal experiments. They are taught about the causes and development of the diseases, the medication types and methods, as well as about the patient approach and examination. In clinical courses, classes are conducted in clinical health care institutions where diseases and their treatments are taught at the patient’s bedside. Public health courses teach the health impact of environmental and social factors.
During the studies the students learn about the basics of scientific research, statistics, and medical informatics, and can participate in research projects of individual researchers. At the end of the studies, a final examination is taken to check the students’ ability to recognise the most important diseases and to direct the patient to the most effective treatment and rehabilitation. The students complete their studies by writing and defending their graduate theses.
After graduating, the students receive a Doctor of Medicine degree.
The university graduate study in nursing was opened in the 2011/12 academic year. Although there exists a long tradition of nursing and midwifery education in Croatia, the need for their training at the university levels of education had not been sufficiently recognised before then. The completion of these studies enables further education in specialist postgraduate and doctoral studies. Thus, the University of Zagreb School of Medicine contributed to the new status of education of nurses in Croatia by enabling them to obtain the masters and PhD qualifications.
The basic task of the studies is to enable students to work in the health care system in private and public health centres and hospitals or to continue their specialisation after completing their studies.