Innovative Teaching and Clinical Skills Development Ecosystem at Tbilisi Medical Academy
For more than 30 years, Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy has been dedicated to the development and advancement of medical education in Georgia. Since its foundation, TMA has continuously introduced modern teaching and learning approaches based on international best practices, ensuring the delivery of high-quality medical education.
With the support of international partners, TMA creates a learning environment that responds to global healthcare challenges and emerging technologies. Under the leadership of European experts from Belgium and the Netherlands within the Department of Innovations in Medical Educational Programs, the medical curriculum integrates patient-centered care and community-oriented healthcare approaches.
The innovative and integrated curriculum enables students, from their very first semester, to participate in discussions of real and simulated clinical cases. This approach helps students connect foundational medical sciences with real clinical practice.
Lecture-Free Curriculum
TMA has implemented a lecture-free educational model โ an international and innovative approach that prioritizes active learning and the development of critical and analytical thinking skills. This methodology also promotes lifelong learning principles.
Clinical Education
The first three years of study focus on basic, behavioral, and social sciences taught within the academy. Beginning from the fourth year, students continue their education at TMA's partner clinics, where they study clinical sciences and undergo general clinical training.
Educational Resources
In accordance with the principles of equality and accessibility, all TMA students have open access to library resources and international medical databases, including ClinicalKey, HINARI, ELSEVIER, OSMOSIS, SCOPUS, SCIENCEDIRECT, COMPLETE ANATOMY 3D, WEB OF SCIENCE, and TURNITIN.
Peer-to-Peer Learning
The Peer-to-Peer Learning Program is an educational approach in which specially trained, high-achieving students support their peers throughout the learning process, creating a more inclusive and collaborative educational environment.
CyberPatient
CyberPatient is a 24/7 virtual clinic and simulation-based educational platform that provides students with a safe virtual learning environment. Through this platform, students can review more than 130 clinical cases online, helping them develop clinical competencies and accurate decision-making skills.
Early Clinical Exposure
Early Clinical Exposure is a practice-oriented educational approach that allows students, from their first year of study, to become familiar with real clinical environments, observe doctor-patient communication, and gain clinical exposure. This teaching methodology is based on evidence-based research and international best practices.
Portfolio
The portfolio is an innovative teaching and assessment method integrated into TMA's educational programs. It encourages students to actively participate in both their professional and personal development through self-reflection and personal development planning. The portfolio supports the achievement of competencies defined within the educational programs.
Innovative Teaching and Assessment Methods
To support the achievement and assessment of competencies within the educational program, TMA also utilizes the following innovative teaching and assessment methods:
- Case-Based Learning (CBL) and Team-Based Learning (TBL)
- Case-Based Clinical Reasoning (CBCR)
- Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE)
- Bedside Teaching
- Flipped Classroom
- Structured Oral Examination (SOE)
- Virtual Simulation-Based Learning
- Scenario-Based Simulation Training with Standardized Patients
- High-Technology 3D Anatomy Visualization System (Anatomage Table)