February'07BRNO Liliana Stankova THE BULGARIAN MODEL Objective: there is a sustained tradition that ophthalmic optics and optometry in Bulgaria have always.

February'07February'07 BRNO Liliana StankovaBRNO Liliana Stankova

THE BULGARIAN MODELTHE BULGARIAN MODEL

Objective: there is a sustained tradition that ophthalmic Objective: there is a sustained tradition that ophthalmic optics and optometry in Bulgaria have always been optics and optometry in Bulgaria have always been healthcare professions. healthcare professions.


Flashback:Flashback:

Tsarist Bulgaria Tsarist Bulgaria 19361936

1936: the Ministry of Public Health and Interior proclaimed 1936: the Ministry of Public Health and Interior proclaimed a Decree on the professiona Decree on the profession

Tsar Boris 3Tsar Boris 3rdrd’s Decree no.5 on opticianry.’s Decree no.5 on opticianry.


Flashback Flashback contd.:contd.: Pre- and post Sept 9 th 1944Pre- and post Sept 9 th 1944

Time reference: Sept 9Time reference: Sept 9thth 1944 1944

The post-nationalization period: first public optical shop The post-nationalization period: first public optical shop opened in 1948. opened in 1948.


Vocational training for ophthalmic Vocational training for ophthalmic

opticiansopticians

1958: the birth year of professional training for opticians; 1958: the birth year of professional training for opticians;

specialized school.specialized school.


Flashback Flashback contd.:contd.:

The time of national socialismThe time of national socialism

The profession was regulated by the Ministry of Public The profession was regulated by the Ministry of Public Health. Network of optical shops throughout the country, Health. Network of optical shops throughout the country,

united and governed by the State Pharmacist Union.united and governed by the State Pharmacist Union.


Legal statusLegal status

The profession is treated as a pure healthcare profession The profession is treated as a pure healthcare profession

one by the Public Health Act.one by the Public Health Act.


TrainingTraining

Daily tuition – 2 years post high school education. Graduation Daily tuition – 2 years post high school education. Graduation with a state examination in the specialty Ophthalmic and with a state examination in the specialty Ophthalmic and

Dispensing Optics.Dispensing Optics.


Optometry trainingOptometry training

1990-1991: First one-year course in optometry post graduation 1990-1991: First one-year course in optometry post graduation in Ophthalmic Optics was arranged on the initiative of the in Ophthalmic Optics was arranged on the initiative of the optical department at the State Pharmacist Union in optical department at the State Pharmacist Union in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry

of Educationof Education


Optometry training programmeOptometry training programme

Syllabus:Syllabus:

I. General medical subjects I. General medical subjects 1.1. Latin language studiesLatin language studies2.2. Anatomy and Physiology of Man – theory and practiceAnatomy and Physiology of Man – theory and practice3.3. Social Hygiene and EpidemiologySocial Hygiene and EpidemiologyII. Specialized subjectsII. Specialized subjects1.1. Internal DiseasesInternal Diseases2.2. PharmacologyPharmacology3.3. Ocular Diseases – theory and practiceOcular Diseases – theory and practice4.4. General OpticsGeneral Optics5.5. Specialized OpticsSpecialized Optics6.6. Economy and Organization of Optical Services ProvisionEconomy and Organization of Optical Services ProvisionIII. Practice course III. Practice course


Democracy reinstalledDemocracy reinstalled

1989: the public network of optical shops disintegrated and the 1989: the public network of optical shops disintegrated and the first private-owned optical shops appearedfirst private-owned optical shops appeared


Organized opticsOrganized optics

1996: first organization forms of opticians: Bulgarian Optical 1996: first organization forms of opticians: Bulgarian Optical Union Union

1997: the 1997: the Association of the Private Employers in the Optical Association of the Private Employers in the Optical Branch was established, later renamed the National Association Branch was established, later renamed the National Association of Bulgarian Optometrists and Opticians -NABOOof Bulgarian Optometrists and Opticians -NABOO


Globalization of the professionGlobalization of the profession

1998: close contact to the profession in Germany; cooperation 1998: close contact to the profession in Germany; cooperation with ZVA and the Koblenz Handwerkskammer – Sofia officewith ZVA and the Koblenz Handwerkskammer – Sofia office

Valuable exchange of ideas related to the organization and the Valuable exchange of ideas related to the organization and the legal institution and regulation of the profession legal institution and regulation of the profession


Adoption of the German modelAdoption of the German model

The MoH neglected our professions and we attempted to The MoH neglected our professions and we attempted to transpose the German model in Bulgaria and cultivate a local transpose the German model in Bulgaria and cultivate a local form of professional union: NABOO becomes member of the form of professional union: NABOO becomes member of the National Handicrafts Chamber - 1998National Handicrafts Chamber - 1998


ECOO membershipECOO membership

2000: NABOO becomes member of ECOO. Initiation in the 2000: NABOO becomes member of ECOO. Initiation in the best practices, background traditions and trends of the best practices, background traditions and trends of the profession(s). Start of a successful and all-level profession(s). Start of a successful and all-level communication with other ECOO members.communication with other ECOO members.

The “healthcare” model received strong impetus owing The “healthcare” model received strong impetus owing to the close interaction within ECOO and as a result of to the close interaction within ECOO and as a result of the development of the industry and the sector.the development of the industry and the sector.


Handicrafts Act: pros and consHandicrafts Act: pros and cons

2000: The profession is integrated in the Handicrafts Act 2000: The profession is integrated in the Handicrafts Act where there was subject to an inadequate and rather where there was subject to an inadequate and rather questionable legal treatmentquestionable legal treatment

(e.g. any university diploma holder was entitled to qualify for a (e.g. any university diploma holder was entitled to qualify for a Master’s Certificate and exercise the profession of Master’s Certificate and exercise the profession of ophthalmic optician) ophthalmic optician)


Changed legal frameworkChanged legal framework

2001: Regulation of the MoH entitling both ophthalmologists and 2001: Regulation of the MoH entitling both ophthalmologists and ophthalmic opticians to the professional management of optical ophthalmic opticians to the professional management of optical shops.shops.

Court action of NABOO supported by the BOU against the above Court action of NABOO supported by the BOU against the above provision. Court ruled our claim was bad and unjustifiably provision. Court ruled our claim was bad and unjustifiably monopolistic. We lost the case. monopolistic. We lost the case.


Handicrafts Act: pros and cons Handicrafts Act: pros and cons contd.contd.

Unhealthy application of the provisions of the Handicrafts Act Unhealthy application of the provisions of the Handicrafts Act which also compromised the level of professional practices.which also compromised the level of professional practices.

=> The transposition of the German model proved => The transposition of the German model proved unsuccessful in our situation. unsuccessful in our situation.


Education & RegulationEducation & Regulation

Regulation no.23 / 15-12-2005 on the order to qualify in the Regulation no.23 / 15-12-2005 on the order to qualify in the profession “technician in ophthalmic optics” which introduced profession “technician in ophthalmic optics” which introduced the minimal State Educational Requirements to a professional the minimal State Educational Requirements to a professional optician.optician.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy endorsed a new The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy endorsed a new National Classification of Professions: ophthalmic optics and National Classification of Professions: ophthalmic optics and optometry are grouped under caption “applied- and optometry are grouped under caption “applied- and associated-healthcare* specialists” associated-healthcare* specialists”

*paramedical*paramedical


Re-definition of the courseRe-definition of the course

2006 - Having learned our lesson and being more prepared 2006 - Having learned our lesson and being more prepared with the experience gained, the “healthcare” view of with the experience gained, the “healthcare” view of ophthalmic optics and optometry was again on the table.ophthalmic optics and optometry was again on the table.

NABOO took on intensive and comprehensive action, incl. NABOO took on intensive and comprehensive action, incl. institutional action, publicity and lobbying, to re-instate the institutional action, publicity and lobbying, to re-instate the profession(s) under the Health Act.profession(s) under the Health Act.


Lobbying with decision and policy-Lobbying with decision and policy-makersmakers

2006 - Consultations and discussions face a face with 2006 - Consultations and discussions face a face with the various governmental institutions: specialized the various governmental institutions: specialized parliamentary commissions and Ministries parliamentary commissions and Ministries


Reinstitution!Reinstitution!

06.10.2006: Health Act amendment: our 06.10.2006: Health Act amendment: our two professions were two professions were again integrated and re-defined as healthcare professions. again integrated and re-defined as healthcare professions.

Thus also the Handicrafts Act was amended to exclude our Thus also the Handicrafts Act was amended to exclude our professions from the Act’s scope. professions from the Act’s scope.


In perspectiveIn perspective

Underway on our immediate agenda:Underway on our immediate agenda:

- develop a Regulation on the structure and - develop a Regulation on the structure and activity of optical shops which should activity of optical shops which should streamline and regulate the practice of our streamline and regulate the practice of our professions;professions;

- develop a framework for continuing (life-- develop a framework for continuing (life-long) education in ophthalmic optics. long) education in ophthalmic optics.


Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!

February'07BRNO Liliana Stankova THE BULGARIAN MODEL Objective: there is a sustained tradition that ophthalmic optics and optometry in Bulgaria have always.

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