Department of Neurology

MEDICAL AND ADVISORY WORK

The neurological service of Kyiv is a significant component of the specialized healthcare system. In 2023, 130,524 people sought neurological care in the city, with 27,500 cases of newly diagnosed conditions. Compared to the previous year, these figures have increased slightly. The incidence of all neurological diseases has also risen, reaching 545.44 per 10,000 population (compared to 522.02 per 10,000 in 2022). Most cases involved patients with cerebrovascular diseases. In 2023, 96,545 individuals were registered in the city, accounting for 74% of all neurological patients. The number of patients treated in neurological hospitals for strokes increased by 27.9% compared to the pre-war period. Additionally, the incidence of all forms of stroke with hypertension increased by 1.08 times compared to the pre-war period (2012-2018).

A comparative study conducted by our department on the quality of care in 2016 and 2022-23 showed significant improvements in stroke care in Kyiv despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. A higher percentage of patients sought help immediately after the onset of stroke symptoms, indicating increased awareness of the disease. The number of patients hospitalized within the therapeutic window increased by 20.7%, while the rate of misdiagnosis decreased by 6%, reflecting improved education and organization among EMS staff. Patient management now adheres to modern care standards.

The Department of Neurology at the O.O. Bohomolets National Medical University contributes significantly to healthcare development. The department includes Doctors of Medical Sciences, Professors: M.M. Prokopiv, V.S. Melnyk, L.I. Sokolova, T.M. Cherenko; Associate Professors, Doctors of Medical Sciences: N.S. Turchyna; and Candidates of Medical Sciences: T.I. Illyash, V.Y. Krylova, T.A. Dovbonos, H.H. Symonenko, H.V. Trepet, V.O. Svystilnyk, Yu.L. Heletiuk. Additionally, the department employs Assistants: Candidate of Medical Sciences O.M. Muravska and Assistants S.M. Sholomon, K.P. Potapova. Assistants S.M. Sholomon, K.P. Potapova, and PhD candidates S-M.S. Okuneva and Y.H. Saminin are currently working on dissertations.

The Department of Neurology is based on eight clinical sites and plays a significant role in providing consultative and therapeutic services in both the city and across Ukraine.

The clinical sites are as follows:

• KNP “St. Michael’s Clinical Hospital of Kyiv”
• KNP “Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 4”
• KNP “Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 3”
• KNP “Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 6”
• KNP “Children’s Clinical Hospital No. 4 of Solomyansky District of Kyiv”
• University Clinic of O.O. Bohomolets NMU
• State Institution “Main Medical Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine”
• Central Polyclinic of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

Responsibilities for Clinical Work

• Head of Clinical Work at the Department: Prof. M.M. Prokopiv.
• Clinical Site Supervisors: Prof. L.I. Sokolova, Prof. T.M. Cherenko, Prof. V.S. Melnyk, Assoc. Prof. Yu.L. Heletiuk, Assoc. Prof. H.H. Symonenko, Assoc. Prof. V.O. Svystilnyk.

The department staff actively engage in diagnostic, consultative, and therapeutic work at their clinical sites. Professors and Associate Professors consult on urgent and planned cases in neurological departments and intensive care units. They also participate in consultations across various hospital departments, medical commissions, pathology conferences, and provide outpatient consultations. The assistants oversee patient care in hospital departments, providing planned and urgent consultations. Over 5,000 patients were consulted and treated by the department staff during the current year.

Using equipment provided by O.O. Bohomolets NMU (Transcranial Doppler “Multigon-500”, EEG-85, Computer Complex for EMG, VP, ERG and OAE Studies “Neuro MVP-4”, Neuroscan), patients undergoing treatment in neurological departments were examined.

Department staff develop and implement innovations in diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive care. Over the past 5 years, 7 innovations have been submitted and implemented (Sokolova L.I., Mialovytska O.A., Matiushko M.H., Prokopiv M.M., Trepet H.S., Antonenko K.V., Kobys T.O., Khizhniak Yu.V.). In 2020, 2 Utility Model Patents were issued (Sokolova L.I., Mialovytska O.A., Radzikhovska; Cherenko T.M., Heletiuk Yu.L.). The department conducts various international and regional clinical studies to assess the effectiveness and safety of several medical drugs.

Department staff participate in duty shifts at the Ukrainian Emergency Medical Service Station of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

Professors Sokolova L.I., Prokopiv M.M., Cherenko T.M., Melnyk V.S., and Assoc. Prof. Melnyk T.M. are members of the working groups of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Department of Health of the Kyiv City State Administration. Prof. M.M. Prokopiv is a consultant at the Main Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

All staff members enhance their professional skills through active participation in continuous professional development events: specialized training and internships abroad (Dallas, Florida, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; London, Liverpool, UK; Krems, Austria), numerous international and Ukrainian training courses, professional schools, master classes, thematic courses, and internships. They have participated in educational projects, attended lectures, and received grants.

Professors Sokolova L.I., Melnyk V.S., Cherenko T.M., Prokopiv M.M., Assoc. Prof. Turchyna N.S., Krylova V.Y., Symonenko H.H., Svystilnyk V.O., Illyash T.I., Potapova K.P. have repeatedly presented and published papers in collections of foreign and Ukrainian medical conferences, symposia, and congresses (San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, USA; Liverpool, UK; Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Japan; Berlin, Germany; Madrid, Spain; Toronto, Vancouver, Canada; Milan, Italy).

Department staff (Prof. Prokopiv M.M., Sokolova L.I., Assoc. Prof. Symonenko H.H., Assoc. Prof. Krylova V.Y., Assoc. Prof. Svystilnyk V.O.) regularly prepare educational materials for the media.

Prof. Melnyk V.S., Prokopiv M.M., Sokolova L.I., and Assoc. Prof. Trepet H.S. have frequently appeared on radio and television discussing current neurological issues and have participated in roundtable discussions and press conferences.