Republic of Latvia
Cabinet of Ministers
Regulations No. 68
Riga, February 19, 2002
Minimum training requirements for acquisition of professional qualifications for
dental practitioners, pharmacists, nurses and midwives
(rec. No.8, paragraph 3)
Issued in accordance with Article 6, paragraph 2 and Article 9, Part I of the Law on
Regulated Professions and Recognition of Professional Qualifications
I. General provisions
1. Regulations provide minimum requirements for study programmes in acquisition of
professional qualifications for dental practitioners, pharmacists, nurses and
midwives in the Republic of Latvia to provide the recognition of acquired
professional qualifications abroad.
II. Minimum training requirements for acquisition of professional qualifications for
dental practitioners
2. The programme of studies leading to the professional qualifications for dental
practitioner shall guarantee that the person concerned has acquired:
2.1. knowledge of the sciences on which dentistry is based and a good understanding of
scientific methods, including the principles of measuring biological functions, the
evaluation of scientifically established facts and the analysis of data;
2.2. knowledge of the constitution, physiology and behaviour of healthy and sick persons as
well as the influence of the natural and social environment on the state of health of the
human being;
2.3. knowledge of the structure and function of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated
tissues, both healthy and diseased, and their relationship to the general state of health and to
the physical and social well-being of the patient;
2.4. knowledge of clinical disciplines and methods, providing the dentist with a coherent
picture of anomalies, lesions and diseases of the mouth cavity and of preventive, diagnostic
and therapeutic dentistry;
2.5. clinical experience.
3. Study programmes for the acquisition of diploma in dentistry shall include a
minimum of study subjects (courses). Some subjects (courses) may be taught in the
context of other subjects (courses) or in conjunction with other subjects (courses). The
minimum of subjects (courses) is the following:
3.1. basic subjects:
3.1.1. chemistry;
3.1.2. physics;
3.1.3.biology;
3.2. medico-biological, pre-clinical and clinical subjects:
3.2.1. anatomy;
3.2.2. embryology;
3.2.3. histology and cytology;
3.2.4. physiology;
3.2.5. biochemistry;
3.2.6. general and special pathological anatomy;
3.2.7. general and special pathological physiology;
3.2.8. pharmacology;
3.2.9. microbiology;
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3.2.10. hygiene;
3.2.11. preventive medicine and epidemiology;
3.2.12. radiology;
3.2.13. physiotherapy;
3.2.14. surgery;
3.2.15. general medicine and paediatrics;
3.2.16. oto-rhino-laryngology;
3.2.17. dermato-venereology;
3.2.18. general psychology, psychopathology and neurology;
3.2.19. anaesthetics and intensive therapy;
3.3. subjects directly related to dentistry:
3.3.1. prosthodontics;
3.3.2. dental materials and equipment;
3.3.3. conservative dentistry;
3.3.4. preventive dentistry;
3.3.5. anaesthetics in dentistry;
3.3.6. maxillofacial surgery;
3.3.7. special pathology;
3.3.8. paedodontics;
3.3.9. periodontics;
3.3.10. orthodontics;
3.3.11. dental radiology;
3.3.12. dental occlusion and function of the jaw;
3.3.13. health care organisation and professional legislation;
3.3.14. professional ethics;
3.3.15. social aspects of dental practice;
3.3.16. clinical practice.
4.
The minimum duration of clinical study programme for the person to apply for
permission to take up the professional activities in dentistry in accordance with ones
competence after the completion of full-time study programme in dentistry is the
following:
4.1. maxillofacial surgery – five years;
4.2. paradontology- three years;
4.3. paedodontology- three years;
4.4. orthodontology- three years;
4.5. prosthetics- three years;
4.6. endodontics- three years;
4.7. dentistry- two years.
III. Minimum training requirements for acquisition of professional qualifications for
pharmacists
5.
The programme of studies leading to the professional qualifications for pharmacists
shall guarantee that the person concerned has acquired theoretical and practical
knowledge of:
5.1. medicines and substances used in the manufacture of medicines;
5.2. pharmaceutical technology and the physical, chemical, biological and
microbiological testing of medicinal products;
5.3. the metabolism and the effects of medicinal products and of the action of toxic
substances and of the use of medicinal products;
5.4. evaluation of scientific data concerning usage of pharmaceutical medicinal
products;
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5.5. legal and other requirements associated with the practice of pharmacy.
6.
Study programmes for the acquisition of diploma in pharmacy shall include a
minimum of study subjects (courses). Some subjects (courses) may be taught in the
context of other subjects (courses) or in conjunction with other subjects (courses). The
minimum of subjects (courses) is the following:
6.1. plant and animal biology;
6.2. physics;
6.3. general and inorganic chemistry;
6.4. organic chemistry;
6.5. analytical chemistry;
6.6. pharmaceutical chemistry, including analysis of medicinal products;
6.7. medical biochemistry;
6.8. anatomy and physiology;
6.9. Latin (including medical terminology);
6.10. microbiology;
6.11. pharmacology and pharmacotherapy;
6.12. pharmaceutical technology;
6.13. toxicology;
6.14. pharmacognosy;
6.15. legislation associated with the practice of pharmacy, professional ethics.
7.
Education of pharmacist provides professional knowledge and skills which entitle
access to the following activities:
7.1. preparation of the pharmaceutical form of medicinal products;
7.2. manufacture, standardisation and testing of medicinal products;
7.3. testing of medicinal products in special laboratories;
7.4. preparation, testing, storage and distribution of medicinal products in closed and
open pharmacies, at the wholesale stage and medicinal enterprises;
7.5. provision of information and advice on medicinal products.
IV. Minimum training requirements for acquisition of professional qualifications for
nurses
8.
The programme of studies leading to the professional qualifications for nurses shall
guarantee that the person concerned has acquired:
8.1. knowledge of the sciences on which general nursing is based, including
understanding of the structure, physiological functions and behaviour of healthy and
sick persons, as well as the relationship between the state of health and the physical
and social environment of the human being;
8.2. knowledge of the nature and ethics of the profession and of the general principles of
health and nursing;
8.3. clinical experience in the profession of nursing;
8.4. knowledge and skills in education of patients and their family members in the field
of health care;
8.5. knowledge and skills in practical training of health personnel and experience of
working with members of other professions in the health sector.
9.
Theoretical education of nurses is a part of the training process where trainees acquire
knowledge, understanding and professional skills necessary for the planning,
implementation and evaluation of general nursing. It is acquired in the professional
medical education institutions.
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10.
Clinical instruction of nurses is a part of training process where student nurses on the
basis of acquired knowledge and skills acquire planning of general care of patients,
provision and evaluation in direct contact with healthy or sick human being (society).
Student nurses acquire skills to work in groups and lead them in organisation of
general nursing (including education of individuals and the society in the health
issues).
11. Study programmes for the acquisition of diploma in general nursing shall include a
minimum of study subjects (courses). Some subjects (courses) may be taught in the
context of other subjects (courses) or in conjunction with other subjects (courses). The
minimum of subjects (courses) is the following:
11.1. theoretical and practical knowledge in nursing practice:
11.1.1. nature and ethics of the profession;
11.1.2. general principles of health and nursing;
11.1.3. nursing principles in relation to:
11.1.3.1. general and specialist medicine;
11.1.3.2. general and specialist surgery;
11.1.3.3. child care and paediatrics;
11.1.3.4. maternity care;
11.1.3.5. mental health and psychiatry;
11.1.3.6. care of old and geriatrics;
11.2. theoretical and practical knowledge in basic medical sciences:
11.2.1. anatomy and physiology;
11.2.2. pathology;
11.2.3. bacteriology, virology and parasitology;
11.2.4. biophysics, biochemistry and radiology;
11.2.5. dietetics;
11.2.6. hygiene:
11.2.6.1. preventive medicine;
11.2.6.2. health education;
11.2.7. pharmacology;
11.3. theoretical and practical knowledge in social sciences:
11.3.1. sociology;
11.3.2. psychology;
11.3.3. principles of administration;
11.3.4. principles of teaching;
11.3.5. social and health legislation;
11.3.6. legal aspects of nursing;
11.4. clinical practice in nursing in relation to:
11.4.1. general and special medicine;
11.4.2. general and special surgery;
11.4.3. child care and paediatrics;
11.4.4. maternity care;
11.4.5. mental health and psychiatry;
11.4.6. care of the old and geriatrics;
11.4.7. home nursing.
12. Higher education programmes in the speciality of nurses which entitle acquisition of
professional qualifications the fifth level, include mastering of knowledge and skills
mentioned in paragraph 8 of these regulations as well as clinical practice mentioned in
subparagraph 11.4 of these regulations.
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IV. Minimum training requirements for acquisition of professional qualifications for
midwives
13. The programme of studies leading to the professional qualifications for midwives
shall guarantee that the person concerned has acquired:
13.1 knowledge of the sciences on which the activities of midwives are based, particularly
obstetrics and gynaecology;
13.2. knowledge of the ethics of the profession and the professional legislation;
13.3. knowledge of biological functions, anatomy and physiology in the field of obstetrics
and of the newly born, and also a knowledge of the relationship between the state of health
and the physical and social environment of the human being, and of his behaviour;
13.4. clinical experience in the profession of midwife;
13.5. knowledge and skills in education of patient and his family members in the field of
health care;
13.6. knowledge and skills in practical training of health personnel and experience of
working with such personnel.
14. Study programmes for the acquisition of diploma in the profession of midwife shall
include a minimum of study subjects (courses). Some subjects (courses) may be
taught in the context of other subjects (courses) or in conjunction with other subjects
(courses). The minimum of subjects (courses) in the midwife training programme
based on completion of general secondary education is the following:
14.1. general theoretical subjects:
14.1.1. anatomy and physiology;
14.1.2. basic pathology;
14.1.3. basic bacteriology, virology and parasitology;
14.1.4. basic biophysics, biochemistry and radiology;
14.1.5. paediatrics, with particular reference to new-born infants;
14.1.6. hygiene, preventive medicine, health education, early diagnosis of diseases;
14.1.7. nutrition and dietetics, with particular reference to women, new-born and young
babies;
14.1.8. basic sociology and socio-medical issues;
14.1.9. basic pharmacology;
14.1.10. psychology;
14.1.11. principles and methods of teaching;
14.1.12. health care organisation and legislation in health care;
14.1.13. professional ethics;
14.1.14. sex education and family planning;
14.1.15. legal protection of mother and infant;
14.2. specific theoretical subjects:
14.2.1. embryology;
14.2.2. pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium;
14.2.3. gynaecological and obstetrical pathology;
14.2.4. preparation for childbirth and parenthood (including psychological aspects);
14.2.5. preparation of parents for childbirth and childcare ((including psychological
aspects);
14.2.6. knowledge and use of technical equipment in obstetrics;
14.2.7. analgesia, anaesthesia and resuscitation;
14.2.8. physiology and pathology of new-born infant;
14.2.9. care and supervision of new-born infant;
14.3. clinical practice:
14.3.1. advising of pregnant women, involving at least 100 pre-natal examinations;
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14.3.2. supervision and care of at least 40 pregnant women;
14.3.3. conduct of at least 40 deliveries. Where this number cannot be reached it may be
reduced to a minimum of 30, provided that the student assists with 20 further
deliveries;
14.3.4. assistance with breech deliveries. If not possible, skills are acquired in
simulation situations;
14.3.5. experience of episiotomy and suturing;
14.3.6. supervision and care of 40 pregnant women at risk (pregnant women, women in
labour and post-natal);
14.3.7. at least 100 post-natal examinations and examinations of normal new-born
infants;
14.3.8. supervision and care of mothers and new-born infants, including pre-term, postterm, underweight and ill new-born infants;
14.3.9. care of pathological cases in the field of gynaecology and obstetrics.
15. If the training in midwifery is commenced after completion of the training programme
of nurses mentioned in these regulations, then it includes knowledge, skills, clinical
practice and subjects (courses) mentioned in paragraphs 13 and 14, which do not form
a part of equivalent subjects (courses) in the training programme of nurses.
IV. Conclusion
16. The regulations shall take effect on August 1, 2002.
Prime minister
A. Bērziņš
Instead of the Minister of Education and ScienceMinister of Justice
I. Labucka