Department of Propedeutics of Internal Medicine, Nursing and Bioethics (until February 10, 2006 – Department of Propedeutics of Internal Medicine №1) is one of the oldest departments which was organized in 1894 on the basis of Kharkiv University. Today it is one of the leading departments of Kharkiv National Medical University, known for its research activities not only in Ukraine but also abroad.

In 1894, the Department of Propedeutics of Internal Diseases was headed by Associate Professor M.M. Lomykovsky, since 1910 – Professor P.I. Shatilov, since 1934 – Professor A.P. Korkhov, in 1937-1941 – Professor S.Ya. Steinberg, in 1941 – Professor P.F. Frolov. During the years of evacuation to Orenburg, the department was headed by Professor S.M. Sinelnikov (1941–1947). In 1953, the Department of Propedeutics of Internal Diseases was merged with the same department of the Pediatric Faculty under the leadership of Professor S.M. Sinelnikov, from 1955 to 1957 the department was headed by Professor L.T. Malaya. In 1957, an independent Department of Propedeutics of Internal Medicine of the Medical Faculty was again organized on the basis of 11th City Hospital under the leadership of Associate Professor A.M. Agaletska.

From 1964 to 1991 the department was headed by Professor M.I. Shtelmakh. The main directions of scientific research of the department were the study of problems of early diagnosis and prevention of atherosclerosis and hypertension; the development, implementation and study of the effectiveness of methods of laser therapy in patients with diseases of the respiratory and musculoskeletal system.

From 1991 to 2014 the department was headed by Prof. O.M. Kovalyova. For 25 years of managing the department, Professor Kovalyova O.M. can be proud of the achievements of her students: she was the supervisor of 33 PhD theses and a scientific advisor of 5 doctoral dissertations. Prof. O.M. Kovalyova established the Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypertension, which worked from 2002 to 2016 as part of the therapeutic department of Kharkiv City Clinical Hospital № 11. At the initiative of Prof. Kovalyova O.M. and taking into account the achievements of the department in training foreign students in English, the Department of Propedeutics of Internal Medicine №1, Fundamentals of Bioethics and Biosafety of KNMU was recognized as a national reference department for the “Propedeutics of Internal Medicine” discipline for English-medium students. Professor O.M. Kovalyova is the founder of the “Fundamentals of Bioethics and Biosafety” discipline at KNMU and the initiator of the renaming of the department – since 2012 the department has been called “Department of Propedeutics of Internal Medicine №1, Fundamentals of Bioethics and Biosafety”. For personal contribution to the development of medical science and prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, in 2001 the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine awarded O.M. Kovalyova with a medal named after Academician M.D. Strazhesko “For merits in health care”. In 2007, she was awarded the honorary title of “Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine”.

Since 2014 and until now, the department has been headed by Professor T.V. Ascheulova who is the author of more than 380 scientific works, 100 educational and methodical works and textbooks, including a textbook in Propedeutics of Internal Medicine in English. Prof. T.V. Ascheulova holds a certificate of English language proficiency at the C2 level, a master’s degree with honors in “Science of Education” (professional qualification “teacher of higher education”). Under her supervision, 2 PhD dissertations in Internal Medicine have been defended. Professor T.V. Ascheulova is an Expert of the National Health Service in the field of “Inpatient care for adults and children without surgery”, a member of the European Society of Cardiology, a member of the ESC Working Group on Hypertension and Heart, a member of the ESC Working group on Cardiovascular pharmacotherapy, a member of the European Respiratory Society and Ukrainian professional associations of doctors.

In 2023, the Department of propedeutics of internal medicine No. 1, bioethics and biosafety was merged with the Department of propedeutics of internal medicine No. 2 and nursing of KhNMU. Founded in 1938, at that time the department of PIM No. 2 and nursing was named the Department of propedeutics of internal diseases of the pediatric and sanitary faculties of Kharkiv Medical Institute. The first director was Professor S.M. Synelnikov, who headed the department until 1959.

In 1960–1981, the department was headed by Professor Yu.D. Shulga who became the founder of Kharkiv school of nephrology. Studies of immunological homeostasis, water-electrolyte balance, central and renal hemodynamics, pressor and depressor systems in glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, hypertension, as well as new methods of treatment of these diseases have received wide recognition. Yu.D. Shulga trained 8 doctors and 24 candidates of medical sciences. He is the author of 5 monographs on nephrology and 130 scientific works.

Since 1982, Professor J.D. Semidotska has been the head of the department of PIM No. 2. Activities of Professor J.D. Semidotska were always aimed at combining the best domestic traditions with modern pedagogical innovations. Professor J.D. Semidotska has been the head of the Kharkiv nephrology school for 27 years: she trained 3 doctors and 30 candidates of medical sciences, 14 masters, published 510 scientific works, received 17 patents for inventions; she is a co-author of monographs.

From July 2009 to 2023, the head of the department of PIM No. 2 and Nursing was Professor T.S. Ospanova, who prepared 1 doctor and 2 candidates of medical sciences, 1 master’s degree, published 370 scientific works, received 4 patents for inventions, has been a co-author of monographs.

In September 2023, the united department has received the name “the Department of propedeutics of internal medicine, nursing and bioethics” headed by Professor T.V. Ashcheulova.