Mastering Endocrinology to Better Serve Rural Patients

When Dr. Tanya Martisoryan faced a difficult medical case in her native Karaglukh village, she told herself, “That’s enough. It’s time to refresh my knowledge and skills.”

Determined to grow, Tanya applied for the FAR’s Continuing Medical Education (CME) Program, which offers one-month mentorship opportunities for regional doctors to train alongside leading specialists in Yerevan. As a family doctor with almost 30 years of experience, Tanya wanted to deepen her understanding of endocrinology, a field she felt she needed to strengthen.

“The patient I saw that day had a blood sugar level of 26 when the norm is 6.4,” recalled Tanya, who sees around 30 patients a day from her native and 12 nearby villages in Vayots Dzor Region, serving a total population of about 6,000 residents. “I gave first aid, administered sodium chloride, stabilized the condition, and referred the patient to a narrow specialist. But that moment made me realize I needed to be more confident and decisive in such cases. That’s why I applied for the program.”

During her training, Tanya observed patient care, attended lectures and clinical seminars, and learned about modern treatment protocols focusing on endocrinology in particular, as well as on general medical practice. She also gained hands-on experience through patient examinations and discussions with experienced physicians. Moreover, she visited the National Scientific Medical Library, exploring the latest publications and medical research. By the end of the program, Tanya earned 120 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits.

“A family doctor must be ready for everything,” Tanya said. “In a village, where people have nowhere else to turn, you must handle all problems with knowledge and heart. To be a doctor means not only to love your profession but to love people. A human being is the most precious creation of nature. When someone entrusts you with their health, you must give your all for their well-being.”