Професионални организации на фелдшерите и лекарските асистенти - минало и настояще
Professional organizations of feldschers and physician asssistants – past and present

Summary/Abstract: The “Feldscher” profession has a 143-year history in Bulgaria. The professionals are recognized with high authority and are well known by the society. Despite their contributions, the existence of feldschers have been periodically debated and questioned over the years, mainly due to their specific competence. In 1999, the training of these professionals has been sus- pended on the basis of unconvincing arguments. However, since 2014, at Medical Universities started education of Physician assistants, who are their followers. The aim of the study is to examine the professional-union organizations created by feldschers/physician assistants over the years. Materials and methods: Documentary, historical method and review of archival documents. Results and discussion: In 1883, the feldschers founded the “Feldscher Charity Society” which is the first professional organization for healthcare workers in Bulgaria. The subsequent attempts for professional organization establishment over the years have been reviewed: “Union of Feldschers in Bulgaria” (1990-2000), “Association of Feldscher bachelors of medicine in Bulgaria” (2007) - functioning from 2020 as “Bulgarian Union of Physician Assistants and Feldschers” (BU- PAF). Under the Class Organization Act of 2005, feldschers/physician assistants are obliged to become associate members of the Bulgarian Association of healthcare professionals. Arguments and legislative steps are presented in order to legitimize BUPAF with the status of a class organization of regulated profession. Conclusion: All professional organizations of feldschers/physician assistants over the years have aimed to protect professional interests and the possibilities for successful realization for benefit of the society.

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