Article: https://shorturl.at/iUcRS

Student-Led Research at TMA Gains International Recognition Through a Peer-Reviewed Publication

Demonstrating the successful integration of research into medical education and the ability of future physicians to contribute to the global scientific community, students of Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy (TMA) have published the results of their independent scientific research in the international peer-reviewed journal – Reviews and Research in Medical Microbiology (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins).

The publication represents an important achievement in strengthening student-led research at TMA and highlights the effectiveness of innovative educational approaches that combine theoretical knowledge with practical scientific inquiry.

The article, entitled “Evaluation of Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns Across Two Adult Age Groups: A Public Health-Oriented Study of Staphylococcus aureus in Kakheti Region, Georgia,” addresses one of the most pressing challenges in modern medicine, antimicrobial resistance. The study provides evidence-based data on antibiotic susceptibility and resistance patterns among Staphylococcus aureus strains in the Kakheti region of Georgia, contributing valuable knowledge to both the national and international scientific community.

The primary objective of the research was to assess the prevalence of ceftriaxone resistance among Staphylococcus aureus isolates in different adult age groups. Considering that ceftriaxone remains one of the most commonly used antibiotics in Georgia, monitoring its effectiveness carries significant public health importance.

A particularly remarkable aspect of the study is that the research process was carried out independently by TMA students. From developing the research design and collecting clinical samples to laboratory analysis, bacterial identification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, statistical evaluation, interpretation of findings, and preparation of the scientific manuscript, students led every stage of the scientific process with scientific and methodological guidance from the Department of Microbiology and the Doctoral and Scientific Research Department of TMA.

The study was implemented within the InTech4MED project funded by the Competitive Innovation Fund (CIF-2023-06). The initiative aims to strengthen the research component of the one-cycle medical education programme through the implementation of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Project-Based Learning approaches, while fostering students’ research, analytical, and practical competencies.

This international publication serves as a tangible outcome of TMA’s educational model that empowers students not only to acquire medical knowledge but also to generate new scientific evidence, address contemporary public health challenges, and engage as active contributors to the international research community.