BAPZG Launches Campaign for Outpatient Healthcare Practices

BAPZG is launching a campaign for outpatient healthcare practices. Healthcare professionals would work in them if public funding is provided. This is shown by a national survey of the organization, as reported by the Bulgarian Association of Healthcare Professionals (BAPZG).

BAPZG is starting a campaign aimed at the establishment and development of outpatient healthcare practices among its members. The goal is to provide support to specialists who wish to create their own practice, as well as to stimulate the development of accessible services for the population.

To prepare for the initiative, the association conducted a survey among 399 medical specialists from all fields. The largest portion of them are nurses (73%), followed by midwives (15%) and rehabilitators (9%). Participants represent all regions of the country, with the highest percentage—21%—coming from Sofia.

The results indicate that interest in developing outpatient practices is highest among specialists of active working age. 35% of respondents are aged between 46 and 55, 25% are between 36 and 45, and 21% are between 25 and 35. 18% of respondents are over 56 years old.

92% of survey participants in the country believe there is a need for publicly funded outpatient practices. Only 3% hold the opposite opinion.

Specialists see a wide range of activities that can be performed in these practices. These include: manipulations and monitoring of patients with prescribed home treatment (87%), palliative care and training for relatives (73%), and rehabilitation after hospital discharge (62%). Additionally: healthcare for newborns and young children (45–63%).

Respondents are unanimous that the primary need outpatient practices would address is the provision of care after hospital discharge.
They also see potential for improving the health literacy of the population, as well as potential for counseling women on issues of sexual health, pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

61% of specialists indicate that such services are currently offered only for a fee, 23% believe they are completely absent, and only 7% note that they are provided through municipal funding.

93% of healthcare professionals would work in or open a practice if their activities were publicly funded. In the absence of funding, this percentage drops to 37%.

More than half of the respondents (52%) believe that funding should be carried out through a direct contract with the NHIF, while 30% support a mixed model—through municipalities and the ministries of health, and of labor and social policy.

BAPZG recalls that for several years it has been insisting that the organization become a full contracting partner of the NHIF and that a package of healthcare activities be adopted to be funded by the fund.

This summer, the Council of Ministers already adopted amendments to the Health Insurance Act, according to which the Bulgarian Medical Association is obliged to invite BAPZG to participate in negotiations for the National Framework Agreement.
Although this does not fully meet the association’s demands, it is defined as a step in the right direction, the organization clarified.

In addition to sustainable funding, 48% of respondents pointed to other conditions for the successful functioning of outpatient practices:

• provision of modern and easily portable equipment;
• assistance from institutions;
• support and trust from doctors and patients;
• training to improve qualifications and administrative skills;
• clear rules for work and consumer rights;
• provision of premises and equipment through projects;
• opportunity for consultations with general practitioners.

94% of participants believe they have the necessary competencies to work in such a practice. The most preferred form of employment is part-time work (55%), followed by full-time employment (40%).

According to the specialists, the creation of outpatient practices will have significant benefits for both patients and the system. 85% believe this will lead to better recovery after active treatment, 77% to more accessible and quality care, and 65% to fewer hospitalizations.

For the specialists themselves, the effect is equally significant: 72% expect better pay, 70% increased motivation to remain in the system, and 69% more fulfilling professional realization.

In response to these attitudes, BAPZG is launching a national campaign for outpatient healthcare practices. It will be aimed at healthcare professionals who want to open their own practice and will provide them with practical and expert support.

The organization will publish information materials, conduct a series of virtual training sessions on medical, organizational, and ethical topics, and open a virtual reception room where an expert will provide individual consultations to specialists with questions on the subject once a week.

“Outpatient healthcare practices are the natural step toward more accessible, high-quality, and humane healthcare. Our goal is to help every professional take this step confidently and with the necessary support,” BAPZG stated.