Circular migration – an opportunity to overcome the challenges with migration of health professionals

The migration of health professionals is a growing worldwide phenomenon which poses a number of challenges to countries. Therefore, in order to find appropriate solutions for health systems, more research that pays attention to the effects of migration and their polar characteristics is being carried out. Recently, it has been suggested that circular migration is one of the most suitable instruments to increase the positive and limit the negative consequences of migration.The aim of the present study is to analyze circular migration as a new instrument that has the potential to help overcome the challenges that migration poses to countries‘ health systems. The methods used include analysis and synthesis of scientific literature and reports of various international and national organizations.The results of a number of studies show that there isn’t a unified definition of circular migration and the proposed ones at an academic and political level vary in nature. The similarities among them are in the explanation of the circular migration as a temporary and repeating movement of people between two countries, and the differences come from the established duration of stay in the host and sending countries and the legal form it takes. There are different reasons that lead to the development of this phenomenon among health professionals, and it is considered that personal motives have the strongest influence on the decision of individuals. Given the dynamic pace at which circular migration is developing, international organizations recommend that countries improve the data collection on circular migration of health professionals, which can serve as an evidence base for policy-making in this area

ENCOURAGEMENT OF ACTIVE LEARNING BY THE TOOLS OF THE MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSES (MOOCS)

The rapid development of computer technologies and the investment in innovations has created opportunity for a launching a new model of e-learning courses, precisely a Massive open online courses or a MOOCs. This article aims to reveal the opportunities of the MOOCs and their tools to encourage the active thinking of the learners, as well as to identify the motivating and demotivating sides of such type of learning. Applying the new ways of free access education gives possibility for learning that is not bound to the physical presence in the lecture hall. Transformation of the traditional passive learning methods into their interactive version gives the learner the choice to determine the pace of his / her learning. The global audience of MOOC can draw on learning experiences from the thousands courses offered by renowned suppliers such as Stanford Online, Coursera, Udacity, OpenClassrooms, edX, etc. in exchange for leisure and desire of personal development

Migration of health professionals – effects for the participants in the process

Мigration of health professionals is a growing worldwide phenomenon which presents various challenges a country's health system. In order to find a solution to deal with this phenomenon, it is necessary to study the motives for migration and to know the consequences of it.The aim оf this article is to systematize the effects of health professionals’ migration, considered in different aspects and sections - for the individual, the sending and receiving country, paying special attention to the consequences for the health system. The methods used include analysis and synthesis of scientific literature and reports of various international and national organizations.The results of the studies show that the migration of health professionals has both positive and negative effects for the participants in the process. One of the most substantial consequences for the sending countries is the loss of capital in the form of human and financial resources. In the receiving countries, greatest attention is paid to the reduced shortage of health professionals and among the most significant effects for the individual are the professional and financial opportunities they gain in the destination countries. Given the two-way effects of migration, the efforts of many national and international organizations are aimed at developing policies and strategies that offer approaches to overcome the negative consequences and enhance the benefits of the phenomenon

TRAINING OF FACULTY FOR WORK IN ELECTRONIC ENVIRONMENT

Helping the improvement of digital competences and more widespread usage of technologies in education are prioritized aims of European commission for 2018 as well. Each next action in support of improvement of those skills would improve the academic teaching and the quality of educational services. This article presents the organization of the conducted training with teachers about working with electronical resources for education in Medical University `Prof. Dr Paraskev Stoyanov` - Varna. The trainings were with intention to increase the knowledge of academic teachers about functional opportunities in the platform `Blackboard Learn+` for the purposes of electronical teaching and her more profound usage like helpful technology in education

Circular Migration of Health Professionals – Attitudes, Challenges and Perspectives in Bulgaria // Циркулярната миграция на здравните професионалисти – нагласи, предизвикателства и перспективи в България

The thesis aims to investigate the migration of health professionals in Bulgaria and, based on the results obtained, formulate recommendations to promote circular migration. The main hypothesis of the thesis is that by deliberately influencing the factors of migration and transforming them into motives for circular migration, the adverse effects can be reduced to some extent, and the positive outcomes can be enhanced. The research aim and objectives are achieved by applying the methods of analysis and synthesis of scientific literature, comparative analysis and evaluation of circular migration programmes, initiatives and policies, and analysis of quantitative data from secondary sources on the dynamics of migration movements. Sociological methods are used to collect the necessary primary information: a survey of health professionals and an interview with health professionals involved in circular mobility. Based on the research results, a model to promote circular migration is developed, including the factors that influence the migration and remigration attitudes of health professionals, the effects of circular migration, and the instruments to promote periodic movements between two countries. Recommendations are also formulated to promote circular migration at national, regional and health institutional levels.Целта на дисертационния труд е да се изследва миграцията на здравните професионалисти в България и на база на получените резултати да се формулират препоръки за стимулиране на циркулярната миграция. Основната теза на дисертационния труд е, че чрез целенасочено въздействие върху факторите за миграция и трансформирането им в мотиви за циркулярна миграция, може до известна степен да се ограничат негативните и усилят положителните последици. Изследователската цел и задачи са постигнати като се прилагат методите на анализ и синтез на научна литература, сравнителен анализ и оценка на програми, инициативи и политики в областта на циркулярната миграция, както и анализ на количествени данни от вторични източници относно динамиката на миграционни движения. За събиране на необходимата първична информация се използват социологически методи – социологическо допитване сред здравни професионалисти и интервю с медицински специалисти, участващи в циркулярна мобилност. Въз основа на резултатите от проведените изследвания е разработен модел за стимулиране на циркулярната миграция, включващ факторите, които оказват влияние върху нагласите за миграция и ремиграция на медицинските специалисти, ефектите от циркулярната миграция и инструментите, чрез които да се улеснят периодичните движения между две държави. Формулирани са и препоръки за стимулиране на циркулярната миграция на национално, регионално и на ниво лечебно заведение

Digital competences of university teachers in working with e-learning platforms

Introduction: Popularization of electronic and distance education enforce more requirements, which unavoidably leads toward more profound analysis of digital competences of university’s teachers. Preparation, adaptation and deployment of learning resources in digital environment demands familiarization with available functionalities of chosen platform for teaching, with stress on specificity of teaching area. The different activities for asynchronous (for example: e-mail correspondence or forums) or synchronous communication (for example: audio/video conferences or phone talks) give recourses helping the teaching as well. Contemporary technologies modulate opportunities for more effective communication even in distant format with different methods for online activities to pay the attention of learners - sharing learning resources (text, audio and video) through virtual auditorium, platforms for mutual activities, platforms for online games for smartphones and many more. We don’t talk anymore for general skills in digital space but aiming the attention on experience and preparation of teachers in role of learners and role of teachers. In this way we can show abilities for working in digital environment and build directions for future development of competences in high education as well.       Materials and methods: Have been used: documental, sociological and statistic methods. In present material has been made overview of anonymous survey with 30 questions (based on documents connected with digital competences) and it is part of research with name: “Analysis of the training and development of the competences of trainers and trainees working in digital environment in Medical University “Prof. d-r Paraskev Stoyanov” - Varna”. The aim is to research the skills of the teachers from Medical University - Varna and to propose directions for their development.  Conclusions: The teachers show interest toward instruments for creating digital content, digital pedagogy and increasing foreign language competency. Still part of them is uncertain in working with platform Blackboard, which could be compensated with training. The key role in the progress of digital competences of teachers has the team, who maintain electronic platforms in the university. They are trainers of teachers as well. It arises necessity of creating standards for different levels and respective programs for their progress. The process of this creation has to be dynamic, flexible and adaptable toward current conditions

From permanent to circular migration of health professionals – instruments to promote circularity

In recent years, it has been suggested that circular migration is an appropriate opportunity to optimize the positive and limit the negative consequences of the health professionals migration for all involved parties. The growing interest in the topic is driven by the potential of the circular migration to generate benefits for destination countries, countries of origin and migrants or so-called triple win concept. Given the dynamics of the phenomenon, a number of countries and organizations has been developed measures and initiatives to regulate the international recruitment of health professionals and, in particular, to facilitate circular migration. The study systematizes some of the most commonly used circular migration tools at the European and international level. These instruments include the establishment of a legislative framework in the field of circular mobility, bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements, various projects and programs. The potential of the circular migration to enhance the positive effects for participants and stakeholders is discussed, as well. The results of various studies show that there the data and evidence for the impact of the phenomenon are scarce. On the other hand, there are different mechanisms to regulate migration flows at the European and national level. A prerequisite for effective management of circular migration is a cooperation between representatives of national and local authorities, NGOs and other stakeholders. The establishment of adequate regulations has an important impact on the development of health systems in sending and receiving countries