The introduction of distance learning was the feature of teaching students during the last third of 2019-2020 academic year in the conditions of quarantine measures for SARS-COV-2. Partly traditional and partly distance learning fragmentariness of this academic year of different students’ groups allows substantiating the possibility and necessity of the comparative assessment and comparison of the results of these teaching approaches. The purpose of the study was to assess the features of the influence of traditional education and distance learning on the graduate students’ performance in “Internal Medicine” based on the results of the state exam. Materials and methods. The study of the results of the final exam of the 6th year students of the Medical University of the IV level of accreditation was carried out. The examination for distance students was held using “Standardized patient” model which was in the form of the situational task based on a real clinical case with laboratory instrumental data in the subdisciplines of Internal Medicine (“cardiology”, “pulmonology”, “gastroenterology”, “endocrinology”, “nephrology”, “rheumatology”, “hematology”). We identified 2 main groups for the comparative analysis. Group I consisted of 110 students who studied during the autumn and early spring terms in the context of traditional education with practical training of full value. Group II included 55 students who were taught in the form of distance learning using such educational platform and resources as Google Classroom, Google Meet during the spring term. Statistical processing of obtained results was carried out using the Statistica-Stat-Soft, USA and Microsoft Excel software package. Results and discussion. The analysis revealed the small differences in the levels of current academic performance in the subject of Internal Medicine in the context of distance learning in relation to the traditional one. When comparing the results of the two training forms we noted prevailing results of qualitative progress with the most pronounced differences in the subdisciplines “cardiology”, “gastroenterology”, in Group 1 and they reliably depended on the academic ranking in the discipline. The nature of the decline in the levels of general and high-quality academic performance based on the exam results with the most pronounced differences in the subdisciplines “rheumatology” and “gastroenterology” did not correlate with the academic ranking indicators of the current training in Group 2. When analyzing the structure of standardized exam questions, the highest efficiency of the answers was demonstrated basing on the skills of “Diagnosis of the leading syndrome”, and “Determination of a preliminary clinical diagnosis”, “Determination of the plan of examination, prognosis and prevention” in the general discipline and, especially, in such subdisciplines as “cardiology”, “gastroenterology”, “nephrology” in both groups, and, with Group 1 predominating. The lowest rates of the answers of Group 2 were recorded for the skills “Treatment, management tactics”, “Evaluation of laboratory and instrumental methods of examination” in the discipline in general and to a greater extent in the subdisciplines “gastroenterology”, “endocrinology”, “rheumatology”. Conclusion. The study showed a negative tendency of the peculiarities of the influence of the distance learning form on the current and final academic performance in the absence of the possibility of mastering theoretical material during direct work with the patient. The use of distance learning is possible as an addition to the traditional one in the blended learning and is promising in the implementation of high-tech informative methods to improve the quality of self-preparation of students for classroom studies

The current state of the system of higher medical education is grounded on many factors including the growing volume of specialized information and the need to expand the level of students’ independent work as well as the conditions of certain restrictions independent of the educational system associated with quarantine measures, etc. This situation predetermines the model of blended learning and the search for both new and improvement of traditional methods and approaches for achieving a high-quality educational process, the purpose of which is to train a highly qualified future internship doctor. Relevant introduction of innovative methods along with the classic teaching “at the patient's bedside” both independently and together with the teacher is one of the motivating components for the student to master the discipline “Internal medicine”. There may be the following variants of interactive forms of learning: role play, work in small groups, case method, lesson-conference, creative tasks: thematic crosswords, quizzes; interactive video courses; methodology in the form “brainstorming”, “discussion”; research work), using different computer multimedia training programs, the department's website, electronic textbooks, online conferences, webinars and other high-tech tools. Of course, the model of distance learning introduced by higher education recently cannot replace traditional education, where the basic skills are formed in the field of practical improvement of the patient’s examination and treatment, but it can supplement it in the context of blended learning. In case of being properly applied and as a part of blended learning this model can really improve the interaction between a teacher and a student while preparing for the classroom lesson and during the student's independent work. In this case, the importance of independent theoretical training for a practical lesson becomes crucial with the growth of the motivational component in the conditions of organized interaction and control of academic performance making it possible to increase the volume of practical work with patients in the classroom. Conclusion. Using traditional, interactive and high-tech methods that complement each other in blended learning, the application of an integrated approach helps to improve the quality and effectiveness of education, expands the ability to form the experience of the student's creative and innovative activities which ultimately affects the future doctor’s competence