Forming of Political Competence in Medical Students in the Process of Learning Medical Law

In today’s world organization of the health care system and the formation of politically competent health care professionals is seen as an important national issue, the effective implementation of which requires joint efforts and levers of government, medical and educational communities, and the public sector as well. Therefore, the article analyzes the components of competence nature, including cognitive, affective, volitional qualities, skills and experience. Their impact and role in the process of formation of a medical student’s personality is monitored, the author’s specified interpretation of the ‘political competence’ concept is offered, and the political competence forming algorithm in future medical professionals is inferred. At the same time, attention is focused on whether it is advisable to conduct different types of interdisciplinary integrated classes, considering the specifics of medical law as a cross-field educational course. They would contribute to the systematization of professional knowledge and skills of students, forming of critical reasoning in the process of solving problem situational tasks. Wide combinatorial potential of medical law is designed to intensify educational and cognitive activity of students, and to catalyze the process of adapting future experts for carrying out their professional duties. Therefore, political competence can be regarded as a means of accumulation of general educational, professional and special knowledge. Such properties of it are socially demanded in today’s information society that is characterized by a high level of professional mobility, rapid knowledge share in the form of information, and psychological openness and readiness to accept innovation as well.