Medical Education in Armenia: An Overview

Abstract

This article serves to describe the medical education system of Armenia, a country located in the cross-section of Europe and Asia. Similar to other countries in the region, its medical education system is structured into undergraduate (6 years), postgraduate (1–4 years), and continuing education components. Its largest medical university, Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU), is the predominant institute for medical education and has enrollment of not only Armenian citizens, but also international students from India, Iran, Russia, and other countries. According to publication metrics, research activity at YSMU is increasing. Finally, the unique relationship between the country and its global diaspora has facilitated collaborative efforts in not only medical education, but also the delivery of care and capacity building. Significant challenges remain for each stage of medical education, such as the lack of standardized licensing or board examinations and oversight of the number of resident physicians per specialty.