Contemporary European practices - multidisciplinary models in the training of medical laboratory assistants

The role of the medical laboratory assistant in the multidisciplinary health team, both in our country and in Europe, is to assist other medical specialists in the diagnostic and treatment processes by performing various tests prescribed by a doctor. Modern requirements for the training of medical laboratory technicians, compared to those in other European countries, are a prerequisite for a change in the qualification degree “professional bachelor”. This professional qualification degree creates conditions for difficult mobility of students during the training, as well as impossibility in practicing the profession outside the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The study found that the similarities in the training of medical laboratory technicians in Bulgaria and in other European countries cover the main disciplines in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, but differ in the document for acquired professional qualification, which deprives medical laboratory graduates of competitiveness on the European labor market

Continuing education – new opportunities and perspectives for medical laboratory assistants

Education is an important and meaningful investment that provides us with new skills and professional experiences. Professional training and education increases work efficiency, gives better realization and competitiveness, provides knowledge, skills and competences. It increases professional skills, the sense of achievement and satisfaction. The rapidly changing professional daily life and the continuous introduction of new laboratory technologies in health care facilities necessitates continuing education for medical specialists with a Professional Bachelor’s degree. The medical laboratory technician performs a wide range of activities in specialized laboratories. In recent years, new diagnostic methods and equipment have been introduced and imposed in practice, and new laboratory parameters have been introduced. These facts are a prerequisite for the training of medical laboratory workers to be upgraded. In this way, new knowledge and skills will be acquired and professional competence will increase

Methods of paternity testing

Един от най-често срещаните въпроси, които вълнуват все повече обществото е свързан с бащинството. Съдебномедицинските лекари посочват, че през последните години желаещите за експертиза по отношение на бащинството рязко са се увеличили. Решаването на този проблем се базира на няколко вида изследвания: кръвногрупови, хромозомни и ДНК изследвания, антропобиометрични изследвания. Години преди разкодирането на ДНК молекулата и възможностите за изследване на генетично ниво един от основните методи за доказване или отхвърляне на бащинството са били антропологичните изследвания. Чрез тях се търси визуална прилика и разлика между детето, майката и мъжа, посочен за баща. Поради голяма субективност на този вид анализ обаче, той не намира приложение понастоящем в практиката. Последните данни показват, че изследванията, проведени върху еритроцити, левкоцити, серумни и ензимни системи, дават обща вероятност за изключване на предполагаемо бащинство 99,6%. Хромозомната експертиза повишава този процент, a с най-големи възможности е ДНК-анализът, който при неизключване дава конкретна вероятност, близка до 100%. Тъй като изследваните кръвно-групови фактори остават неизменни през целия живот на човека, те могат да бъдат определени по всяко време от неговия жизнен път. Всичко това показва, че ако преди десетилетия жените спокойно са можели да скрият истината за бащинството на децата си, сега благодарение на развитието на медицината и генетиката в частност, тази тяхна измама лесно може да бъда изобличена.One of the most common questions that concern society more and more is connected with paternity. Forensic doctors say that in recent years the wish for expertise regarding paternity has increased sharply. The solution to this problem is based on several types of tests: blood group, chromosomal and DNA tests, and biometric research. Years before decoding the DNA molecule and opportunities to study at genetic level, one of the main methods of proof or rejection of paternity was anthropological research. It seeks visual similarity and difference between the child‘s mother and her husband, indicated as the father. Due to the great subjectivity of this type of analysis, however, it is not currently applicable in practice. The latest data show that research conducted on erythrocytes, leukocytes, and serum enzyme systems offers a general probability of excluding alleged paternity of 99.6%. Chromosome expertise increases this percentage, and with the best results is DNA analysis, which in nonexclusion gives a specific probability close to 100%. Since the test bloodgroup factors remain unchanged throughout the life of the person they can be identified at any time of his/ her life time. All this shows that if decades ago women could safely hide the truth about the paternity of their children, now thanks to the development of medicine and genetics in particular, their scam can easily be exposed

Diagnosis and Gluten-Free Nutrition in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an endocrine disease. It is an organ-specific autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. In terms of etiology, thyroiditis occurs due to a genetic predisposition, which leads to a violation of the immune system. It erroneously recognizes its own proteins as foreign. As a result, "autoaggression" occurs in the body, and it reacts against its own thyroid gland with an inflammatory reaction. This damages both the cells of the gland as well as its function. An important factor in the disease is the environment, micronutrient deficiencies, and nutrition. In recent years, there has been a lot of talk about gluten-free foods and their negative impact on human health. Gluten proteins have long been of interest to the food industry due to their high impact on the baking qualities of wheat flour. The link between gluten and Hashimoto's thyroiditis is twofold. Although evidence is insufficient, after all there is some evidence that gluten triggers the immune response and impairs thyroid function

Results of a Survey on the Aspects of Menopausal Symptoms and Medication Therapy

Introduction The period of menopause is accompanied by termination of the menstrual cycle. It is assumed to start from the 12th consecutive month of missing menstruation. In most cases, menopause occurs in the period between 40 and 50 years of age.AimThe objective of this present work is to present and analyze certain aspects of the menopausal symptomatic and the medication therapy in the menopause period.Materials and Methods A study using a direct anonymous survey was conducted on the territory of Varna Municipality during the period January – March 2018. The data collected from the survey was processed using the SPSS statistical software.SymptomsThe transition to menopause plays an important role in the etiology of symptoms described as hot flashes, nighttime sweating, mood changes, sleep disturbance, and sexual dysfunction. Therapy Approaches Hormone substitution therapy is an approach, which includes taking of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) for treatment of the symptoms of menopause and aging. Pharmacies offer a wide range of estrogen therapy medicinal products in the form of pills, plasters, suppositories, etc.Natural products therapy for menopausal symptoms includes herbs and other plant and non-plant additives.Conclusion Menopause is a natural stage in the aging process of the female organism. We are of the opinion that successful identification of the symptoms in the transitional period to menopause, and increased awareness of mature women as regards the therapy approaches available to apply, would have a significant positive impact on women’s health and social well-being

Innovative technologies in laboratory medicine for prevention and control of chronic diseases

Въвеждането на иновативни методи и технологии за диагностика и лечение е процес от ключово значение за развитието на медицината. Лабораторните изследвания, подпомагащи поставянето на правилна диагноза и проследяване на всички заболявания, са основани на принципи и стандарти за добра практика. В проследяването на лабораторните параметри на пациентите с хронични заболявания новите технологии в ежедневието навлизат с бързи темпове. Публикацията представя перспективите и възможните ползи на тестовете, провеждани в дома на пациентите или от тях самите.The introduction of innovative methods and technologies for the diagnosis and treatment process is crucial to the development of medicine. Laboratory studies supporting a correct diagnosis and monitoring of all diseases are based on the principles and standards of good practice. In the researches of the laboratory parameters of patients with chronic diseases, new technologies are entering with a rapid pace. The article presents the prospect of possible benefits of the tests, which are acomplished at patients` homes or by themselves

Historical Development And Trends In The Medical Laboratory Assistant Program In Bulgaria

The professional training of health professionals in Bulgaria dates back to the beginning of the twentieth century with the establishment of the first school for nurses in Sofia. Initially, the term for obtaining the required qualification was one year, but subsequently it gradually increased. With time, new programs were established, such as a medical laboratory assistant, to meet the needs of the health system. Globally, as in Bulgaria, periodic reforms have been taking place, dictated by the increased needs of society for quality health care. They influence the education of health professionals as their professional training is placed on a qualitatively new basis, which preserves some of the traditions, but also introduces modern innovative forms

Contemporary Models, New Approaches and Perspectives in Training Students of the Medical Laboratory Technician Speciality // Съвременни модели, нови подходи и перспективи в обучението на студентите от специалност „Медицински лаборант

The dynamic development of laboratory medicine requires a shift in student motivation, consistent with their competitiveness on the European and other markets. The thesis aims to analyse the specific features, new approaches in training and perspectives of medical laboratory technicians and their professional development. The study highlights effective European methods that facilitate timely advancements in the field of medical laboratory professionals, shaping their modern identity. The survey included covered 189 individuals. These are medical laboratory technicians practising their profession in Varna, students studying at the Medical Colleges in Varna and Stara Zagora, and experts in laboratory services. Five stages of the study are described – research on the relevance of the issue, actual research phase, processing and analysis of data, description of results, conclusions and contributions. The results and recommendations in the study prove the need to create a model for a Master's program specific to the laboratory-diagnostic field. The model of the Medical Laboratory Management speciality will aim to increase the efficiency in the professional training of medical laboratory graduates. The Master's program is an innovative start for technical training in the field of medical and laboratory equipment, medical laboratory software, healthcare management and social medicine.Динамичното развитие на лабораторната медицина налага промяна в мотивацията на студентите, съответстващо с тяхната конкурентоспособност на европейския и други пазари. Целта на дисертационния труд е насочена към анализ на специфичните особености, новите подходи в обучението и перспективи на медицинските лаборанти и тяхното професионално развитие. Очертани са добрите европейски практики, които дават възможност за своевременни промени за развитие на професията и формиране имиджа на съвременните професионалисти медицински лаборанти. В проучването са обхванати 189 лица. Това са медицински лаборанти, упражняващи професията на територията на гр. Варна, студенти, обучаващи се в Медицинските колежи във Варна и Стара Загора и експерти на лабораторни услуги. Описани са 5 етапа на проучването – проучване на актуалността на проблема, същинско проучване, обработка и анализ на данни, описание на резултатите, изводи и приноси. Резултатите и препоръките в проучването доказват необходимостта от създаване на модел за магистърска програма профилирана в лабораторно-диагностичната област. Модела на специалността „Медико-лабораторен мениджмънт“ ще има за цел да повиши ефективността в професионалната подготовка на завършилите медицински лаборанти. Магистърската програма е иновативен старт за технически познания в областта на медицинската и лабораторна апаратура, медико-лабораторния софтуер, здравния мениджмънт и социалната медицина

Electronic Recipe - Awareness And Attitudes Of The Bulgarian Population

E-health in Bulgaria in recent years is one of the most current topics in health care. An important element of e-health is the introduction of e-prescription. The process has been developed since 2011 with the launch of the "Electronic Prescription" project of the National Health Insurance Fund. The need for the effective introduction and use of the electronic prescription has been unequivocally confirmed with the spread of COVID-19. The purpose of the publication is to study the awareness and attitudes of people in Bulgaria about the use of electronic prescriptions. A survey was conducted among the population in different age groups. The results obtained can be useful in conducting an awareness campaign on the use of e-prescription and assessment of the expectations of users of the service

ASSESSMENT OF THE BENEFITS OF TAKING HERBAL MEDICINES AND SUPPLEMENTS TO OVERCOME THE SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE

In recent years, there is a trend towards increasing consumption of natural therapeutic agents to manage the symptoms of menopause. Common ingredients in natural preparations include Cranberry extract, Oenotherabiennis oil, Glycine max, Cimicifuga racemose extract, and others. They improve the physical and emotional health of menopausal women and help to overcome hormonal imbalance. The study is conducted on the territory of Varna Municipality through a direct anonymous inquiry during the period January – March 2018. The study included 50 female respondents (n=50) with menopausal symptoms, between the age of 35 and 65 years. The study results demonstrated the increase in consumption of natural preparations for managing menopausal symptoms (86% of respondents). The herbal product and/or nutrition supplement that respondents take contain mostly calcium in combination with vitamin D, cranberry extract and evening primrose oil. To a lower extent, female respondents take preparations which contain soy phytoestrogens or silver candle herb. A big relative share of respondents (76%) reported for significant improvement in their health condition. There is a positive correlation between this indicator and the longer period of natural product intake. Regarding the subjective assessment of respondents about the price of the natural product they use, 74% of women claim that they can afford it. There is no direct relationship between the monthly income of respondents and the way they define the price