Postgraduate education at Mersin University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Medical History and Ethics began in the 2022-2023 academic year.

The Medical History and Ethics Department at Mersin University Faculty of Medicine was established in 2009. Prof. Dr. Tamer AKÇA served as the head of the department from 2009 to 2011. Since 2011, Prof. Dr. Oya ÖGENLER has been the head of the department. Dr. Selda OKUYAZ joined the academic staff in 2017. The postgraduate program includes two compulsory and elective courses on medical history and ethics, taught theoretically and practically. Educational materials are utilized to enhance postgraduate education, including:

Preparation and publication of academic articles in scientific journals,

Writing and publishing books and book chapters,

Preparation and presentation of conference papers and presentations,

Participation in advanced seminars and webinars,

Frequent use of online libraries that provide a wide range of articles and resources for postgraduate research,

Creating and utilizing case scenarios to understand how theories work in practice,

Conducting master's and doctoral theses, which provide in-depth knowledge about similar studies,

Using interactive software for advanced applications such as data analysis, statistical calculations, and modeling,

Engaging in online or face-to-face platforms that facilitate knowledge sharing and idea exchange between students and academics, which helps postgraduate students develop knowledge, attitudes, and skills in scientific studies.

Additionally, the compulsory course "Scientific Ethics" has been offered in the postgraduate program by our department since the 2016-2017 academic year. The current undergraduate courses of our department are listed in the course schedules on the Mersin University Faculty of Medicine website: https://www.mersin.edu.tr/akademik/tip-fakultesi/. As of the 2022-2023 academic year, the Institute of Health Sciences at Mersin University offers a thesis-based master’s program, with nine students currently enrolled.

Aim of the Medical History and Ethics Program

The goal of the Medical History and Ethics program is to provide postgraduate students with knowledge about the historical development of medicine, ethical principles, and practices. This course aims to: Examine the history of medicine to help understand how medicine has evolved and the scientific and cultural processes it has undergone. This knowledge allows students to grasp the origins and evolution of contemporary medical practices.

Teach medical history to prevent the repetition of past mistakes by learning from past ethical violations and medical practice errors, which serve as a guide for today's health professionals.

Define the moral issues that healthcare professionals may face and guide them to make the right decisions in these situations. This course teaches postgraduate students the fundamental ethical principles of how the relationship between the patient and the health professional should be, including patient rights, confidentiality, consent, justice, and the patient-physician relationship.

Help healthcare professionals understand the responsibilities they carry while practicing their professions, shaping their professional attitudes and behaviors.

 Enable students to critically evaluate medical practice, supporting their ethical development to make better decisions in complex situations encountered in healthcare services.

The Department of Medical History and Ethics at Mersin University Faculty of Medicine publishes the "Lokman Hekim Journal of Medical History and Folkloric Medicine," an open-access, peer-reviewed journal published three times a year. The journal's website is https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/mutftd. To enhance our international competitiveness, we conduct multidisciplinary research in both historical and ethical fields. A library in the Medical History room at the Faculty of Medicine Basic Sciences building houses books related to the field, where postgraduate courses are held.

List of Postgraduate Courses

Compulsory Courses:

Introduction to Medical Ethics

General Medical History

Elective Courses:

Communication Skills

National and International Ethical Codes

Art and Bioethics

Literature Research and Article Writing Techniques

Principles of Scientific Project Preparation

Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

Historical Development and Sociology of Nursing

Health Legislation

Bioethics

Ottoman Turkish

Special Medical History

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