CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES TO HARD  AND SOFT SKILLS AS THE FOUNDATION  OF PROFESSIONAL-ETHICAL CULTURE OF SPECIALISTS  IN HEALTHCARE SERVICES

Yuliia Yevtushenko

doi:10.23856/10.23856/6910

Yuliia Yevtushenko State Establishment “Lugansk State Medical University” https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7315-3337

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23856/10.23856/6910

Keywords: Hard Skills, Soft Skills, professional-ethical culture, medical education, integrative approach, competency-oriented approach

Abstract

Modern medical education requires specialists who combine high technical competence (Hard Skills) with developed ethical and communication skills (Soft Skills). The relevance of the research is due to growing demands for ethical behaviour among medical personnel in conditions of digitalisation, personalised medicine, and increased patient awareness. A gap is often observed between technical knowledge and insufficiently developed Soft Skills, complicating effective interaction with patients and colleagues. The novelty lies in substantiating an integrated author's model for forming Hard and Soft Skills based on principles of interdisciplinarity, ethical orientation, technological adaptability, and comprehensive assessment, considering international experience (Harvard Medical School, Karolinska Institute, NUS).The article analyses four conceptual approaches (integrative, competency-oriented, ethics-oriented, technological), identifies key components of Hard and Soft Skills, and challenges of their implementation. Research methods included theoretical analysis of scientific literature, systematisation and classification, comparative study of international experience, synthesis, and generalisation of the obtained data. Practical recommendations are proposed for Ukrainian medical universities regarding curriculum updates, faculty training, implementation of digital platforms, and collaboration with clinical bases. The research results will improve the quality of medical education and strengthen trust in the medical profession.

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