Paper short abstract:

In Russia, medical anthropology is not yet represented by professions legalized in state registries, and scattered author's courses are read at universities. The paper will discuss promising proposals on the formation of educational programs and the creation of professional standards.

Paper long abstract:

In Russia during the USSR, medical anthropology was understood as a subdivision of physical anthropology; in ethnography, folk medicine (ethnomedicine) was studied. Medical anthropology as an independent scientific direction associated with sociocultural anthropology, actively began to form in the 2000s: in 2002-2015, an historiography course was read at the Saratov Technical University (by D.Mikhel); in 2005, the first academic research group was established at the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology in Moscow, which in 2015 became an independent center (CMA) in the institute's structure; in 2011 the journal "Medical Anthropology and Bioethics" (www.medanthro.ru) was founded; in 2013, the Russian Association of Medical Anthropologists was established (AMA www.amarussia.ru; all three structures, the Center, the journal and the Association lead by the author). Medical anthropology is not yet represented by professions legalized in state registries, only short author's courses are now read at three universities. CMA and AMA conduct twice-yearly specialized international schools of medical anthropology and bioethics for students of medical universities. The AMA develops its own concept of training the specialists necessary for the Russian public health and social sphere and, in contact with state bodies, is working on the issue of legalization of professions: an expert in the field of cultural and ethical competencies; medical anthropologist; bioethics, and also creates educational standards and training programs for professionals. Currently in Moscow it is planned to create a specialized master program. The paper discusses the concept of professional standards and features of educational training in the field of medical anthropology.