[On the history of medical societies in Russia: main trends]

This article analyzes materials on the history of Russian medical societies, identifying four periods in their history. The first few voluntary associations dedicated to the development of medical science and the advanced training of physicians emerged in 1804, following the establishment of imperial universities empowered to establish societies. The second period begins in the 1860s, following the simplification of the procedure for approving the charters of public organizations. It is characterized by an explosive growth in the number of medical societies, some of which (the Russian Society for the Protection of Public Health, the Pirogov Society) played a significant role in the development of Russian medicine, reaching the national level in their activities. The third period begins after the Bolsheviks came to power; highly specialized societies focused exclusively on developing the science and practice of their disciplines. The fourth period begins in the 1990s, following the collapse of the USSR and the introduction of evidence-based medicine principles into all areas of healthcare. The number of medical societies grows, and they acquire new functions, such as the development of medical care standards and clinical guidelines.