Mental Health – Meeting With Students From Plovdiv
On the 16 th of May, “Astra Forum” Foundation jointly with the Association of the Students in Medicine – Plovdiv organizes discussion on the issues related to vaccine prophylactics and prevention of mental health of the medical professionals. The meeting was hosted by the Medical University of Plovdiv.
Momchil Baev, doctor of medicine, chairman of “Astra Forum” Foundation presented before the doctors- to-be the topic about interpersonal communication between doctor and patient in terms of immunizations. It is exceptionally troublesome that in the last three years the immunization coverage has undergone a significant decline – the most severe for the last 70 years, Momchil Baev underlined and highlighted that medical professionals play an essential role in the maintenance of public trust in immunization. This is the reason because of which the foundation issued “Manual for medical professionals in interpersonal communication on immunizations” that was presented before the students. The manual aims at promoting and enriching the work of all the medical professionals who take part in the vaccination process in Bulgaria, and also supports general practitioners who a s it was noted are its main engine. Momchil Baev noted particular steps to impact patients’ opinion that would be of practical use to the doctors-to-be.
MENTAL HEALTH OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
The second part of the event was devoted to the issues of medical professionals’ mental health. The doctors face high stress levels and tension in their work that could result in problems with their mental resilience. It was underlined that cares after their psychic well-being would allow them to perform in the best possible way and would ensure optimal cares after their patients. Prioritization of doctors’ mental health is essential in order to ensure their well-being, maintenance of their professional competency, lowering stigma and setting the right example for the others. Special attention was paid to burnout of medical professionals. The topic is of pending essence after COVID 19, when doctors were incredibly stressed.
Serios challenge to Bulgarian doctors is the healthcare system in our country – overload of health specialists and great administrative burden. Professor PhD Monika Bogdanova, doctor of pedagogical sciences presented the topic before the students and clarified main notions in psychiatrics. Professor Bogdanova provided the students with useful examples of her long-term practice and thanks to the psychodrama method she managed to include them in real professional situations and roles typical to the work of medical professionals in our country.
The attendees in the hall were introduced to the initiative of “Astra Forum” Foundation supported by UNICEF Bulgaria and the groups for prevention of workplace stress and burnout. The group sessions are held twice monthly, on Tuesday or Friday, from 18 p.m. The lecturers are certified psychotherapists, members of the Bulgarian Psychotherapy Association. The operations would be expanded and would cover other cities.
The meeting in Plovdiv is just part of the numerous meetings with students in medicine that are arranged by “Astra Forum” Foundation.
THE SOLUTION OF ASTRA FORUM
“Astra Forum” Foundation organizes psychotherapeutic groups aimed at medical professionals (doctors and nurses inclusive). Momchil Baev, doctor of medicine, founder and chairman of “Astra Forum” Foundation strongly believes in the initiative since the maintenance of medical professionals’ mental health is an important part of public health and patients’ health. Everyone who works in the healthcare sector, is located in the city of Sofia and would like to join therapeutic group for “burnout” prevention could enrol as a participant. Two days monthly psychotherapists would hold therapy with a group aimed at the well being of mental health of those who work in the system.
Up to 20 people could enrol in the therapeutic sessions that would be divided into two groups. There is no age limitation for the participants. The participation costs in the therapeutic sessions amount to 50 BGN whereas 30 BGN are covered by “Astra Forum” Foundation and 20 BGN should be paid by you). The process for group inclusion is the following:
- Initial conversation with Foundation’s representative Meeting a psychologist to fill in the documents
- Questionnaire for evaluation of life quality
- Questionnaire for evaluation of the individual performance at the workplace
- Filling in the registration card
- Declarations for confidentiality and personal data protection
- Inclusion in the group with psychotherapist and regular meetings
