• School of thought involves a creative team of researchers of different generations, united by a common program and style of research, acting under the guidance of a recognized leader, a well-known scientist in the relevant medical science. Each school of thought has at least three Doctors of Science in one specialty. The key figure of the school of thought is the leader who gives the name to the school. A leader can be a prominent, authoritative scientist who produces ideas and guides their implementation into a scientific work; a scientist who can unite like-minded people.
  • The concept of the school of thought is historical. The elements of the collective mode of scientific creativity emerged in the ancient world. The examples of ancient philosophical schools with elementary structure ("teacher – students or followers") can be the Milesian and Pythagorean schools, the Plato's school, the Aristotle's (Lyceum) school, the Alexandria school, as well as the the Galileo’s school (XVII century). Schools of thought in the modern sense were established in the nineteenth century, when as a result of socio-economic factors and the convergence of science with production, the changes in the organization of scientific research became widespread, which led to the dominance and the need for collective modes of creativity for the further progress of science.
  • The school of thought is an intellectual, emotionally valuable, informal, open society of scientists of different statuses who develop their scientific direction and a research program under the guidance of the leader. An essential feature of a school of thought is the simultaneous implementation of the functions of creation, dissemination, protection of scientific ideas and knowledge, teaching of young scientists, etc.
  • Twenty-five schools of thought function at Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine. Four schools of thought are being developed.

The following schools of thought were approved by the Orders of NMAPE "On Bringing into Force the Academic Council's Decisions" (Minutes No. 9, November 12, 2014) and "On Bringing into Force the Academic Council's Decisions" of May 19, 2016 No. 1849 (Minutes No. 6, May 18, 2016):

- in theory and practice of social medicine, healthcare management, medical education under the leadership of Academician of NAMS of Ukraine, Rector Full Professor Yu. V. Voronenko;

- in obstetrics, gynecology and perinatology under the leadership of Corresponding Member of NAMS of Ukraine, First Vice-Rector Full Professor Yu. P. Vdovychenko;

- in neurology under the leadership of Full Professor Yu. I. Holovchenko;

- in medical biochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and hospice medicine under the leadership of Corresponding Member of NAMS of Ukraine, Full Professor Yu. I. Hubskyi;

- in cardiovascular surgery under the leadership of Academician of NAMS of Ukraine and NAS of Ukraine, Full Professor H. V. Knyshov;

- in general practice, cardiology and rheumatology under the leadership of Academician of NAMS of Ukraine, Full Professor V. M. Kovalenko;

- in medical and biological informatics and cybernetics under the leadership of Full Professor O. P. Mintser;

- in endocrinology under the leadership of Academician of NAMS of Ukraine, Corresponding Member of NAS of Ukraine, Full Professor M. D. Tronko;

- in phthisiology and pulmonology under the leadership of Academician of NAMS of Ukraine, Full Professor Yu.  I. Feshchenko. 

The following schools of thought were approved by the Order of NMAPE "On Bringing into Force the Academic Council's Decisions" (Minutes No. 7, June 15, 2016):

- in neurosurgery under the leadership of Corresponding Member of NAMS of Ukraine, Had of the Department of Neurosurgery, Full Professor M. Ye. Polishchuk;

- in health management under the leadership of Full Professor of the Department of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Full Professor H. L. Apanasenko. 

Each Shupyk NHU of Ukraine school of though is historically established and developed under the guidance of a leading scientist in a particular medical specialty. Schools of thought have a mission, goals and objectives that make up its scientific and spiritual foundation.