Transcript THE BULGARIAN MODEL

THE BULGARIAN MODEL
Objective: there is a sustained tradition that ophthalmic
optics and optometry in Bulgaria have always been
healthcare professions.
February'07
BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Flashback:
Tsarist Bulgaria 1936
1936: the Ministry of Public Health and Interior proclaimed
a Decree on the profession
Tsar Boris 3rd’s Decree no.5 on opticianry.
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Flashback contd.:
Pre- and post Sept 9 th 1944
Time reference: Sept 9th 1944
The post-nationalization period: first public optical shop
opened in 1948.
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Vocational training for ophthalmic
opticians
1958: the birth year of professional training for opticians;
specialized school.
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Flashback
contd.:
The time of national socialism
The profession was regulated by the Ministry of Public
Health. Network of optical shops throughout the country,
united and governed by the State Pharmacist Union.
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Legal status
The profession is treated as a pure healthcare profession
one by the Public Health Act.
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Training
Daily tuition – 2 years post high school education. Graduation
with a state examination in the specialty Ophthalmic and
Dispensing Optics.
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Optometry training
1990-1991: First one-year course in optometry post graduation
in Ophthalmic Optics was arranged on the initiative of the
optical department at the State Pharmacist Union in
collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry
of Education
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Optometry training programme
Syllabus:
I. General medical subjects
1.
Latin language studies
2.
Anatomy and Physiology of Man – theory and practice
3.
Social Hygiene and Epidemiology
II. Specialized subjects
1.
Internal Diseases
2.
Pharmacology
3.
Ocular Diseases – theory and practice
4.
General Optics
5.
Specialized Optics
6.
Economy and Organization of Optical Services Provision
III. Practice course
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Democracy reinstalled
1989: the public network of optical shops disintegrated and the
first private-owned optical shops appeared
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Organized optics
1996: first organization forms of opticians: Bulgarian Optical
Union
1997: the Association of the Private Employers in the Optical
Branch was established, later renamed the National Association
of Bulgarian Optometrists and Opticians -NABOO
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Globalization of the profession
1998: close contact to the profession in Germany; cooperation
with ZVA and the Koblenz Handwerkskammer – Sofia office
Valuable exchange of ideas related to the organization and the
legal institution and regulation of the profession
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Adoption of the German model
The MoH neglected our professions and we attempted to
transpose the German model in Bulgaria and cultivate a local
form of professional union: NABOO becomes member of the
National Handicrafts Chamber - 1998
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
ECOO membership
2000: NABOO becomes member of ECOO. Initiation in
the best practices, background traditions and trends of
the profession(s). Start of a successful and all-level
communication with other ECOO members.
The “healthcare” model received strong impetus owing to
the close interaction within ECOO and as a result of the
development of the industry and the sector.
February'07
BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Handicrafts Act: pros and cons
2000: The profession is integrated in the Handicrafts Act
where there was subject to an inadequate and rather
questionable legal treatment
(e.g. any university diploma holder was entitled to qualify for
a Master’s Certificate and exercise the profession of
ophthalmic optician)
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Changed legal framework
2001: Regulation of the MoH entitling both ophthalmologists and
ophthalmic opticians to the professional management of optical
shops.
Court action of NABOO supported by the BOU against the above
provision. Court ruled our claim was bad and unjustifiably
monopolistic. We lost the case.
February'07
BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Handicrafts Act: pros and cons
contd.
Unhealthy application of the provisions of the Handicrafts Act
which also compromised the level of professional practices.
=> The transposition of the German model proved
unsuccessful in our situation.
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Education & Regulation
Regulation no.23 / 15-12-2005 on the order to qualify in the
profession “technician in ophthalmic optics” which introduced
the minimal State Educational Requirements to a professional
optician.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy endorsed a new
National Classification of Professions: ophthalmic optics and
optometry are grouped under caption “applied- and
associated-healthcare* specialists”
*paramedical
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Re-definition of the course
2006 - Having learned our lesson and being more prepared
with the experience gained, the “healthcare” view of
ophthalmic optics and optometry was again on the table.
NABOO took on intensive and comprehensive action, incl.
institutional action, publicity and lobbying, to re-instate the
profession(s) under the Health Act.
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Lobbying with decision and policymakers
2006 - Consultations and discussions face a face with
the various governmental institutions: specialized
parliamentary commissions and Ministries
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Liliana Stankova
Reinstitution!
06.10.2006: Health Act amendment: our two professions were
again integrated and re-defined as healthcare professions.
Thus also the Handicrafts Act was amended to exclude our
professions from the Act’s scope.
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
In perspective
Underway on our immediate agenda:
- develop a Regulation on the structure and
activity of optical shops which should
streamline and regulate the practice of our
professions;
- develop a framework for continuing (lifelong) education in ophthalmic optics.
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BRNO
Liliana Stankova
Thank you for your attention!
February'07
BRNO
Liliana Stankova