training

Year family medicine established: unknown

Type of Training: unknown

Length of Training: Medical school, (6 years), post-graduate training (3 years)

Number of institutions that offer family medicine: There are 5 universities that teach family medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Pleven, Medical Faculty, University of Plovdiv, Medical Faculty, University of Varna, Medical Faculty, University of Trakia, and the Medical University Sofia (Brekke et al., 2013)

Number of family medicine residents graduating each year: unknown

practice

Number of family doctors in country (2016): 4,561 family physicians (Eurostat, 2016)

Physician to population ratio (2006): 66.8 family physicians per 100,000 people (Masseria et al., 2009).

Number of family doctors in country (2016): 1,412 family physicians (Eurostat, 2016)

Physician to population ratio (2006): 56.1 family physicians per 100,000 people (Masseria et al., 2009).

DALY: 18,296 per 100,000 individuals (Due to all Causes).

Life Expectancy:

• Females 2017: 78.5 years

• Males 2017: 71.3 years

Mortality rate 2017:

• 2010 Males: 197 per 1,000 male adults.

• 2010 Females: 88 per 1,000 female adults.

Infant Immunization-HepB3: % of 1-year-old children received: 85%

College of Family Physicians (Y or N):

• Yes: National Association of General Practitioners in Bulgaria.

training

Family medicine in Bulgaria still has many unknown factors, such as when it was established. However, five universities teach family medicine. (Brekke et al, 2013). Six years of medical school are required, followed by a three year post-graduate program.

practice

Bulgaria is home to 4,561 family physicians, as recorded in 2016 (Eurostat, 2016) with 66.8 family physicians per 100 000 people as of 2006 (Masseria et al., 2009).  According to Georgieva, Salchev, Dimitrova, Dimova, and Avdeeva “GPs carry out basic examinations, diagnostics, treatment (including minor ambulatory operations), provide consultations, and are responsible for prescription of drugs in accordance with the PDL. They also provide family planning training and related activities, preventive activities (immunization), health promotion and health education.” (Avdeeva & Elias, 2007).

Furthermore, they are part of the gatekeeping method, which demands that a primary caregiver give a referral for more specialized treatment.