...University of Split’s most wanted study programs
University Department of Health Studies (SOZS) is a relatively new University of Split’s component, created as one of strategic needs of University of Split’s development in 2011, by the will and in partnership with University’s School of Medicine and eight other faculties. It is a higher education institution that organizes and performs university (as required by the labor market, also professional) undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate study programs (vertically-articulated education), carries out professional and scientific work in the field of biomedicine and healthcare, has organized and implements publishing and library activity for needs of teaching, as well as professional and scientific work. In addition to the above, organizationally and in terms of staff – it is profiled to be top university institution for lifelong learning of numerous traditional and new health professions in our region and whole Croatia.
STUDY PROGRAMS
All study programs (undergraduate and graduate) are carried out in their entirety according to created plans and programs, as well as permits obtained from Croatia’s Ministry of Science, Education and Sports. What is more, SOZS is the only higher education institution in Republic of Croatia that has so far fully implemented the postulates of Bologna Declaration and Croatian qualification framework, harmonized with EU qualification framework, which all leads to EU Register of Professions.
UNDERGRADUATE UNIVERSITY STUDIES
Following undergraduate study programs are performed at University Department of Health Studies:
Nursing
University study of nursing is intended for acquiring knowledge, skills and competences necessary for effective work in modern health systems, as well as acquiring academic degrees in nursing, in accordance with principles defined in the Bologna process documents and recommendations. After completing the study, participants are equipped for independent and team work in the health system, meaning that: they can choose necessary health care using theoretical and clinical knowledge, plan, organize and provide health care when treating patients based on acquired knowledge and skills, join teamwork with other health sector professionals, including participation in practical training of health personnel based on acquired knowledge and skills, present their patients with a healthy lifestyle and proper self-care, apply life-saving measures on their own, apply crisis and dangerous situations’ measures, handle advice and give instructions to people who need care and their loved ones, support them, develop quality and evaluate health care, communicate professionally and cooperate with other health sector professions, analyze quality of care in order to improve their professional practice, explain scientific foundations of general health care, including sufficient understanding of structure, physiological functions and behavior in healthy persons and patients, as well as relationship between person’s health, his physical and social environment, explain profession’s nature and ethics, general principles of health and health care, apply appropriate clinical experience...
Completing the undergraduate university study of nursing, one acquires 180 ECTS and professional title University Bachelor of Nursing, and state license for independent work in healthcare.
Midwifery
Midwifery, as a medical activity whose task is to provide professional assistance during childbirth, is an extremely demanded study program. Completing their studies, future midwives are ready to: act within health teams in cases where a multidisciplinary approach is required, apply all acquired knowledge in the field of midwifery care, as well as knowledge in obstetrics and gynecology, keep medical records of midwifery care, plan, organize and implement care; validate plans of midwifery care, analyze conditions for its implementation and carry out clinical plans, participate in educating midwifery students, act according to professional ethics and legislation principles, conduct education in preparing for parenthood and pregnant women for childbirth, determine pregnancy, manage physiological pregnancy at all levels of health care, assess condition of the pregnant woman and fetus, recognize abnormalities in pregnancy, participate in monitoring pathological pregnancies, prepare pregnant woman and instruments for certain additional tests during pregnancy, distinguish physiological and pathological findings, advise pregnant women about necessary tests to detect high-risk pregnancies, evaluate the course of labor and its impact on mother and fetus, monitor fetus’ condition by applying appropriate clinical methods and technical means, lead physiological (natural) birth, breech birth in emergencies, cutting and stitching episiotomies as needed, as well as 1st and 2nd degree ruptures, recognize irregularities during childbirth, take emergency measures in absence of a physician, particularly manual exploration and evacuation of the uterus, participate during pathological childbirth, as well as operative completion, assess newborn’s condition, carry out its care and supervision, take emergency measures in doctor’s absence, in case of need even its resuscitation, monitor mother’s condition after childbirth, distinguish physiological from pathological course of postpartum, advise mother on breastfeeding, educate on care for and feeding the newborn, participate in gynecological examination and educate on preserving health and preventing sexually transmitted diseases, regular gynecological examinations and early detection of diseases, family planning, sexual and reproductive health, as well as alleviating menopause symptoms...
Completion of undergraduate university study of midwifery results in acquiring 180 ECTS and professional title University Bachelor of Midwifery, as well as a state permit for independent work in healthcare.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is one of most sought-after study programs in recent years. Competences that students acquire completing this study are: performing basic tasks in medical rehabilitation, as part of individual rehabilitation teams, including health improvement, educating patients and their family, disease prevention and direct assistance to sick and disabled persons of all ages in health care institutions and the community, performing health education activities, acting as an equal member of health teams, educating and supervising future physiotherapists - mentoring and research activity.
Completing this undergraduate university study, one obtains 180 ECTS and the professional title University Bachelor of Physiotherapy, as well as state permit for independent work in healthcare.
Radiological technology
The study program’s purpose is to achieve theoretical knowledge and practical skills in applying diagnostic and therapeutic methods in diagnostic and interventional radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy. Competencies acquired completing the study are: independent handling of all types of x-ray devices (conventional and digital radiology), responsible participation in teamwork, independent handling of radiotherapy devices, familiarity with nuclear medicine methods, devices and instruments in radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine, as well as work with radioactive isotopes, effective application of protection measures against ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, as well as familiarity with latest devices from the mentioned three areas of diagnostics and therapy, some of which are still being developed.
Completing undergraduate university study of radiology, student obtains 180 ECTS and professional title University Bachelor in Radiological Technology, as well as state permit for independent work in healthcare.
Medical laboratory diagnostics
Medical lab. diagnostics (laboratory medicine) is a health and scientific field related to medical laboratories of various specialties and profiles in health institutions and institutions not necessarily part of the system, but are related to medical laboratory diagnostics. Competences acquired completing this study are: analyzing, critical thinking and solving problems in everyday practice one is responsible for, organization, taking samples, transporting and storing biological and, if necessary, other materials, communication with colleagues and clinical departments, reporting findings with independence and responsibility, understanding techniques and methods applied in professional and research field of laboratory medicine, ethical approach in working with patients and human bio materials, training for quality analysis of various samples, using chemical, biochemical, molecular, immunological, cytological and histological methods.
Completing this undergraduate university study results in 180 ECTS and professional title of university bachelor in medical laboratory diagnostics, as well as state license for independent work in health care.
GRADUATE UNIVERSITY STUDIES
Following graduate study programs are offered at University Department of Health Studies:
Nursing
Second-degree study of nursing, aimed at obtaining academic title Master of Nursing, will enable educating personnel trained to act as leaders and managers in health processes in different frameworks of the health system, who will know how to apply patient care in practice and in accordance with modern scientific evidence, protocols and guidelines (evidence-based nursing) as well as staff who will be able to participate in educating bachelors and masters of nursing.
Physiotherapy
Second-degree study of physiotherapy, aimed at obtaining Master degree in physiotherapy, according to Bologna process principles, will provide students with:
• comprehensive complex of new insights, knowledge and skills, which represent a logical upgrade to those acquired during first-degree study;
• train them to lead healthcare teams and manage healthcare processes;
• train them to apply scientific approach during work;
• train them to apply evidence-based principles of physiotherapy in their work; and
• train them for constant learning, as well as acting as both mentors and teachers.
Radiological technology
Second-degree study of radiological technology, aimed at obtaining Master degree in radiological technology, according to the principles of the Bologna process, will provide students with:
• comprehensive complex of new insights, knowledge and skills, which represent a logical upgrade to those acquired during first-degree study;
• train them to lead healthcare teams and manage healthcare processes;
• train them to apply scientific approach in their work;
• train them to apply evidence-based principles of radiological technology in their work; and
• train them for constant learning, as well as acting as both mentors and teachers.
WHY PRECISELY UNIVERSITY OF SPLIT’S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STUDIES?
Department of Health Studies is part of University of Split’s family, which was, according to Times Higher Education 2021, ranked in 801-1000. place on the world universities ranking list and was, for the first time, ranked in 10 out of 17 sustainable development goals, as the only university in Republic of Croatia, which ranks it in top 4% in the world.
Mastering clinical skills is organized through all years of study, and students’ portfolio serves as guarantee that none of the planned skills remained lacking. Their mentor is also obliged to sign the list of traineeship records (which makes him co-responsible for students’ clinical skills).
SOZS’ students perform traineeships in the following institutions: Clinical Hospital Center Split, Split-Dalmatia County’s (SDC) Teaching Institute for Public Health, SDC Department of Emergency Medicine, SDC Health Center, Rehabilitation Center - Mir, Policlinic Medikol, Center for Dental Radiology “X DENT", Dr. Lauc’ Dental X-ray, "Luciana Matković" Private health care for patients, Home for the elderly and infirm "Vita", Home for the elderly and infirm "Afrodita", Polyclinic Gynenova, Polyclinic Jadran, Polyclinic Dr. Obad, Polyclinic for Rehabilitation of Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Secondary Health School in Split, Special Hospital St. Katarina in Zabok/Zagreb (with two SOZS employees who teach and practice medicine), Drinković Polyclinic in Zagreb (with SOZS lecturers and mentors) and numerous others.
One out of 5-15 students manages to enroll the Department as their first choice.
In just first 3 years of University Department's operation, according to large sample anonymous student surveys, quality of study (teaching and staff) was above University of Split’s average (including much larger constituents, over 60 years old), and this was recorded by local media that rank this Department among 5 best University of Split’s components.
In Agency for Science and Higher Education's analysis of quality of students enrolled in one of Republic of Croatia’s 166 faculties, SOZS students came first in the business of Croatian higher education, and second in University of Split (behind School of Medicine). Agency’s last report for the academic year 2020/21. states that SOZS holds the fifth place among all faculties in Croatia in terms of quality of incoming students and is the only among University of Split’s top twenty, with 4.50 grade average of students enrolled in the first year of study.
SOZS has 418 external associates (including 130 mentors and mentor coordinators), 67 of which physicians working for School of Medicine (20 full, 25 associate and 22 assistant professors), 38 in full employment at other University of Split components (8 full professors, 3 associate professors, 9 assistants professors, 14 assistants, 1 lecturer, 3 expert associates), and 313 associates (10 full professors, 7 associate professors, 38 assistant professors, 35 assistants, 21 lecturers, and others).
University Department of Health Studies supports education of its scientific and teaching staff in doctoral studies (there are currently 10 assistants and lecturers about to complete their PHDs) regularly plans and allocates resources for this purpose, as well as other types of professional development for all SOZS employees.
SOZS is located in new premises of "Three Faculties Building" on University of Split’s Campus (has its own laboratories and Clinical Skills Centre, Student Department, Office for Science, Teaching and International Cooperation, Career Center, seminar rooms and lecture halls, as well as space for Administration, Departments, professors, etc.).
Enrollment quotas for each course of study are determined according to labor market needs of Dalmatia’s four counties.
Education at University of Split’s Department of Health Studies is based on establishing contemporary education system based on clearly defined expected study outcomes (outcome-based education). Acquired knowledge, skills and attitudes will enable healthcare professionals to effectively answer all patient needs and provide them with safe, competent and ethical healthcare.
A lot more awaits you at Split’s University Department of Health Studies
…
Last but not least, Split’s University Department of Health Studies, as its name suggests, operates in Croatia’s most vibrant city and cannot be separated from it. In other words, enrolling Health Studies in Split means breathing in this passionate Mediterranean city to the fullest, being a part of it, leaving your mark on it and taking a part of it with you when you leave... Believe me, that is saying something.
For more information, visit www.ozs.unist.hr or feel free to contact us at: ured@ozs.unist.hr or by phone: 021 564 808
See you at Department of Health Studies, University of Split!