Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Human Reproduction Medicine

• Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

— Development of technologies aimed at restoring the functional reserves of the human reproductive system in cases of infertility caused by various factors, including infertility within marriage;
— Creation, testing, and implementation of non-invasive diagnostic panels for endometrial receptivity, oocyte function, sperm and embryo selection, and management tactics for programmed IVF protocols, as well as the development of a mathematical prognostic model for ART outcomes;
— Study of the immunological and morphological mechanisms of endocrine and tubal-peritoneal infertility associated with tuberculosis.

• Cell therapy in reproductive medicine

— Development of methods for the therapeutic use of cell products in treating diseases of the female reproductive system
— development of experimental models suitable for testing cell products

• Protecting maternal and foetal health in complicated pregnancies and the postpartum period

— Haemodynamic, morphological, and immunohistochemical characteristics of placental tissue in high-risk pregnancies
 — Obstetric and gynaecological care for HIV-infected women
 — Study of kidney function during pregnancy and in various pathological conditions of the female reproductive system

• High-tech, comprehensive medical care for diseases of the reproductive system

— Studying the role of molecular biological and genetic mechanisms in the development of tumours in the female reproductive system
— The reproductive system of women in sport
— Study of the immunological and morphological mechanisms of endocrine and tubal-peritoneal infertility associated with tuberculosis
— Adhesive disease of the small pelvis in gynaecological practice

Teaching staff of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Human Reproduction Medicine
The department employs eight professors, ten associate professors and nine teaching assistants, including eleven doctors of medical sciences and twelve candidates of medical sciences. The department staff include a member and a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The department staff carry out teaching, educational, methodological and research activities. They regularly participate in scientific and practical forums, congresses and conferences at both national and international levels. They are also engaged in research projects supported by grants from various scientific foundations. The department staff publish more than 60 articles annually in leading peer-reviewed Russian and international medical journals and deliver presentations at more than 120 Russian and international scientific and scientific-practical conferences. They also regularly publish textbooks, teaching manuals and scientific monographs.

Eduard Ailamazyan is the author and editor of the textbook 'Obstetrics', which has been published in ten editions and is used in the department’s teaching activities.

The department provides training within the clinical residency programme in the main field of study 31.08.01 'Obstetrics and Gynaecology', as well as within the doctoral programme in the main field of study 31.06.01 'Clinical Medicine'. Training is available on both government-funded and fee-paying bases. The Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Human Reproduction Medicine offers postgraduate education aimed at training highly qualified medical specialists who are proficient in cutting-edge technologies for diagnosing, treating and preventing various obstetric and gynaecological pathologies.

Each year, 20−25 people enrol on the clinical residency programmes. Clinical residency students work and are on call in obstetric and gynaecological hospitals and women’s clinics, which are the clinical training facilities of the department, under the supervision of the department staff. They also take a theoretical course that includes both core and elective courses. The department academics regularly deliver seminars, practical classes, and lectures. Clinical residency programmes incorporate active and interactive teaching methods (e.g. computer simulations, practical training on simulators and phantoms, business and role-playing games, analysis of specific clinical cases and situational tasks) alongside extracurricular activities designed to develop students' professional skills.

An important element of the training is practical work with patients. With the guidance of the department staff and as a result of studying the recommended medical literature, clinical residency students systematise and deepen the knowledge gained and develop essential practical skills. Many clinical residency students also conduct research, give presentations at conferences, and publish their scientific papers. They may subsequently continue their studies at the department as doctoral students. Upon completion of the clinical residency programme, students undertake a final state assessment and the primary accreditation at the St. Petersburg State University Centre of Medical Accreditations.

St. Petersburg State University admits 2−3 students to the postgraduate programme in specialty 3.1.4 'Obstetrics and Gynaecology' annually. Since the department’s establishment, doctoral students have defended more than 25 Candidate of Sciences dissertations.

The department’s staff conduct training courses for practising physicians under additional postgraduate education programmes — thematic advanced training courses:

• Fundamentals of Colposcopy (36 hours) — continuous medical education cycle
• Colposcopy (74 hours)
• Vulvar and Vaginal Diseases in Outpatient Gynaecological Practice (18 hours) — continuous medical education cycle
• Cervical Diseases in Outpatient Gynaecological Practice (18 hours) — continuous medical education cycle

Since its inception, the department has had a Student Scientific Society, involving up to 25 students each year, primarily from years three to six. Members of the society are engaged in both research and clinical work. The meetings of the Student Scientific Society are held monthly and include clinical reviews, presentations, and practical and interactive classes using simulation technologies and advanced childbirth simulators. Joint interdepartmental and interuniversity meetings of the Student Scientific Society are also organised regularly. In November 2020, the first joint online meeting of the Student Scientific Society of the Departments of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Human Reproduction Medicine at St. Petersburg State University and Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University took place. Around 70 students from universities in St Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan, Volgograd, Tula, and Yaroslavl participated. The members of the department’s Student Scientific Society are also preparing for the All-Russian Olympiads in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The St. Petersburg State University team was among the top five participants in the 5^th All-Russian Pershininov Olympiad in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which brought together students from 34 universities across the country.

Topics covered in the students' research papers are diverse, reflecting both their creative and research plans and the department’s scientific focus. Papers often address contemporary issues in obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive health, and are frequently based on the development of original experimental models and technologies. Members of the Student Scientific Society participate annually in student conferences, where they present their scientific achievements. In their sixth year, all graduates prepare qualification projects, which often lead to publications and presentations at student and young researchers' conferences. These include the All-Russian Conference with International Participation 'Fundamental Science and Clinical Medicine. Homo and Health'; and interuniversity conferences held at St Petersburg State Paediatric Medical University, the Kirov Military Medical Academy, Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science 'D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductology', Pavlov First St Petersburg State Medical University, and Mechnikov North-West State Medical University. Each year, medical students conducting research under the supervision of department staff win prizes.

Members of the society also have the opportunity to take part in clinical work in maternity wards and gynaecological hospitals. The most active members often continue their studies at the department after graduation.