INDICATORS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE YOUTH.

The rate of physical activity among young people worldwide has changed in recent decades. A sharp change in physical activity is observed in young people after they finish school and start studying at universities. This study showed the main patterns of the physical activity among the medical students in Georgia, as well as the effect of the global events. Incentive and inhibitory factors have also been identified that significantly determine the rate of increase and decrease. The aim of the study was to assess the physical activity rates of students at Tbilisi State Medical University. The physical activity level was studied by using the self-reported assessment by means of the specially developed questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on literary sources and expert opinion, and tested among peers. 34 questions covered demographic information (8), lifestyle and physical activity (16), exercising (5) and impact of COVID-19 (4). The survey through Google Forms was anonymous. Epidata 3.1 was used for data entry. The data were analysed in Stata 14.0. Descriptive statistics was used to generate frequencies, percentages and proportions. Where relevant, the Chi-square test was used to determine any statistical significance. Sampling frame consisted of the students of Tbilisi State Medical University. Respondents were chosen by the cluster random sampling method. Random cluster sampling was used with confidence interval/margin of error 10 and confidence level 95%. A total of 265 students participated in the study (Faculty of Medicine - 63.77%, Faculty of Public Health - 35.4%; first-year students - 41.13%, fourth-year students - 58.11%). More than 57.4% of the respondents consider themselves physically passive. 74.7% of them make less than 10,000 steps per day. 79.5% do not exercise regularly. Students explain their low level of physical activity by various reasons, such as COVID-19 pandemic (65.5%), smartphone use (56.6%), lack of free time (79.2%), lack of finances (40.8%) and motivation (54.3%). On the other hand, a relatively small proportion of respondents (30.6%) answered that they are physically active. They go by foot (26.3%), make 6,000 to 10,000 steps a day (17.4%) and prefer taking stairs (57.5%). They engage in a variety of physical activities, such as: sports, football, basketball, gym and home gym, swimming, aqua aerobics, dancing, cycling and walking. This study is the first on the lifestyle and physical activity of young people in Georgia during the Covid Pandemic. Trends related to the physical activity of students living in Georgia are similar in different countries around the world. Young people have common problems, obstacles or incentives.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR EFFECTIVE CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICIANS IN GEORGIA.

At all levels--from individual to national- Continuing medical education (CME,) competency-based continuing professional development (CPD) planning should incorporate objectively determined quality, program utilization, and other objective data as well as more subjectively determined needs as perceived by individual physicians. The study aims to conduct self-recognized/perceived needs assessment for CME/CPD among certified physicians working at TSMU University Clinics and TSMU affiliated clinics different regional cities of Georgia: Kutaisi, Batumi, Kareli; Provide quantitative and qualitative analysis of the completed questionnaires to identify discrepancies and find the differences between forecasts and actual data, recognize their causes and devlop recommendations for clinical skills development, new knowledge dissemination, and barrier avoidance. Medical Doctors were interviewed by specially designed on-line surveys in various regions of Georgia, including the capital. The answers provided by respondents indicate, that clinicians today are responsive to activities that are practice-relevant, efficient, effective, rewarding, and more personalized. Physicians prefer evidence-based, clinical CME topics that address a major aspect of their practice and that potentially provide an opportunity to learn new skills.

CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS - ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT STATE.

Nowadays Continuous medical education means motivated continuous professional development based on competencies of medical workforce and other healthcare professionals. Its purpose is to identify and fill a gap in knowledge and practical skills that is determined by the development of technologies and changes, which occur in the healthcare system, the regulatory environment, and society in general. Result of good quality can be achieved with close collaboration of stakeholders and high-quality programs based on the competence, of which basis shall be a solid legislative framework and a relevant motivational environment as for professionals also employers. A new phase in the continuous professional training of medical staff started in Georgia 2018. Forms of Continuing Medical Education, Accreditation Procedure and Criteria were approved by the Order №01-3/N of the Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia. The old orders were invalidated which made difficulties for CPD as a professional development mechanism. Professional preparedness and competency of health workforce, effective evaluation of productivity and quality of continuous medical education are particularly important in the Healthcare system of Georgia for achieving sustainable development goals supplied by World Health Organization with a view to better responding to the health needs of people, taking into account the special needs of country.