The Medicine integrated study program prepares highly qualified physicians capable of offering comprehensive healthcare services at all levels—primary, secondary, and tertiary—within the national and international healthcare systems. The program is built upon the principles of evidence-based medicine, integrating advanced medical science with practical training and ethical responsibility. Structured in accordance with the European Qualifications Framework, this program leads to the title of Doctor of Medicine and is recognized both nationally and across the European Higher Education Area. It responds directly to public health needs and the demands of an evolving medical labor market.

Academic Structure and Curriculum

The Medicine program is six years in duration, delivered in a full-time format. Each academic year comprises two semesters of 15 weeks (13 weeks in semester XII), followed by examination sessions and extensive clinical internships. The curriculum is modular and strategically sequenced. Students begin with fundamental sciences and socio-humanistic disciplines, progressing to specialized clinical education in later years. Key academic components include:

• Fundamental sciences: anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pathology
• Clinical disciplines: internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, emergency medicine
• Public health: epidemiology, preventive medicine, medical ethics
• Innovative methods: simulation-based learning, bedside teaching, standardized patients, group projects
• Final year focus: night shifts and immersive rotations in family medicine and women’s health

Coursework includes compulsory, optional, and elective modules, all aligned with Moldova’s national education standards and European benchmarks.

Learning Objectives and Graduate Competencies

The study program aims to produce graduates with a robust blend of knowledge, clinical skills, and professional values. These outcomes are achieved through a student-centered approach to teaching, continuous assessment, and interdisciplinary integration. By the end of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions
• Perform clinical investigations and procedures using modern techniques
• Develop individualized treatment and rehabilitation plans
• Provide emergency care and apply life-saving protocols
• Promote preventive health measures at both individual and community levels
• Adhere to national legislation and uphold medical ethics in daily practice
• Collaborate effectively within healthcare teams
• Engage in scientific research and deliver evidence-based medical care
• Teach and mentor students in healthcare institutions
• Continuously assess and improve their own professional development

Relevance to the Health Sector

The Medicine program plays a critical role in addressing the national shortage of doctors, intensified by migration and demographic shifts. The program is designed to meet the strategic objectives of Moldova’s Health Human Resource Development Strategy (2016–2025), ensuring that graduates are not only employable but also instrumental in public health advancement. The competencies developed through this program are crucial for:

• Ensuring equitable access to healthcare
• Enhancing the quality of medical services
• Supporting health system reforms and innovation

Over 70% of graduates continue into postgraduate residency programs, reinforcing the program’s success in preparing capable, committed medical professionals.

• Postgraduate specialization and continuing education
• Career advancement through national qualification levels (assigned every five years upon request)