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Empathy is important for successful interactions. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the cognitive component (Perspective taking) and affective components (Empathic concern and Personal distress) of empathy in health professionals were related to the degree of perceived threat of coronavirus, difficulties in doing work, difficulties in getting along with people, the health condition (current or past coronavirus disease), as well as with some socio-demographic characteristics. Fantasy as the cognitive component of empathy was not the focus of the present study as more irrelevant to clinical practice.A study of 296 health care workers through the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and a survey on perceived coronavirus threat, difficulties in work and getting along with people found that perceiving coronavirus as a stronger threat reduced both the cognitive component of empathy Perspective taking and the affective component of empathy Personal distress.As the affective components of empathy Empathic concern and Personal distress increased, the reported work difficulties were reduced. As the cognitive component of empathy Perspective taking and the affective component of empathy Personal distress increased, the reported difficulties in having a good relationship with other people were reduced. Some socio-demographic differences in the components of empathy in health workers were also established.These findings revealed the importance of Personal Distress (experienced anxiety, worry, discomfort, and apprehension when observing another person's negative experiences), as well as the joint manifestation of several aspects of empathy for successful work and maintaining good relationships in health care. Emotionality is a normal part of human interactions, so manifestations of cognitive empathy should not be only considered as appropriate, and emotional empathy should not be ruled out as unnecessary in clinical practice during the coronavirus pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic affects the lifestyle, mental and physical health of people, especially those at direct risk of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2. In the period from November 2020 to February 2021, data were collected from 296 healthcare workers through the GAD-7 generalized anxiety questionnaire, as well as through self-assessment of their physical and mental health status, and the degree of perceiving the coronavirus as a threat. The results show that about one-third of the participating healthcare workers experienced mild generalized anxiety, and about one-fifth of them, moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety. Health professionals with the highest generalized anxiety were younger, with deteriorated physical and mental health (not only subjectively estimated by the participants but also objectively diagnosed health workers with coronavirus), less religious, having an intimate partner. More perceived threat of coronavirus was associated with increased generalized anxiety in healthcare professionals. Healthcare workers with a higher level of generalized anxiety were more likely to have difficulties doing their jobs, taking care of things at home, or getting along with other people. The anxiety experienced is of immense importance for the functioning of the individual. It is recommendable for healthcare specialists to feel that they receive social support to reduce their anxiety levels and to better balance their work and personal life, having more free time to take care of themselves and their close relationships.

Introduction: The effectiveness of the medical activities carried out and the medical provision of the victims of disasters is directly dependent on the capabilities of the hospital staff. With good staff preparation, even in high-risk situations, the vulnerability of hospitals is reduced. Objective: Analysis of the self-assessment of hospital staff in Bulgaria for their disaster preparedness and assessment of preventive measures to reduce the adverse effects of disasters. Material and methods: sociological and statistical methods are used. During the period 2014-2019, an anonymous survey was conducted among the staff of hospitals in the capital and other cities in Bulgaria. The study involved 1,043 people in the 19–78 age range, working as persons performing administrative activities, doctors, health care professionals and other staff. Results: Almost all respondents expressed the opinion that a potential disaster would have an impact on the ability of hospitals to function and provide care for patients. The comparative analysis of the responses to the question of self-assessment of the hospital staff for their readiness to participate in the evacuation of the medical facility in emergency situations shows that the administrative staff significantly more often has indicated the answer "I'm somewhat prepared theoretically and practically, but I don't feel confident" (28.30%). The physicians most often indicated the answer "I have been prepared and participated in an emergency situation" (46.70%). In the other staff, the answer "unprepared" is most often indicated (65.0%), followed by a statistically equivalent frequency of "prepared only theoretically" and "I have been prepared and participated in an emergency situation". The study found a discrepancy between the expressed need for further updating of the knowledge of all staff groups and the frequency of the proposal to include specific training programs in the plans of medical institutions. Conclusions: Factors such as self-esteem and age influence the desire for training and initiative of the staff of the medical institutions. It is necessary to specify the forms to increase the readiness of medical institutions for emergency response.

The eye diseases cause sufferings, affect the quality of life of the patient, and decrease the level of his/her well-being. The disability, related to the diminution of vision, is an indicator for the medical condition of the population, state of morality and ethics in the society, and it may be corrective in the work of healthcare professionals. The aim of the study is an analysis of the significance and extent of the problem with reference to the quality of life of patients with poor vision. The task is an exploration of the quality of life in connection with eye disability, which to assist in selecting appropriate measures regarding the problem. The glaucoma is a serious, socially significant disease, which may lead to considerable loss of vision and to blindness if let untreated. A study of the primary disability during the period from the year 2005 to 2012, in Eastern Bulgaria, demonstrated that the glaucoma is a leading cause of bilateral blindness. The degree of vision reduction causes a considerable impact on the quality of life. The factor age influences negatively the quality of life in patients with loss of vision. The poorest quality of life (QoL) had the oldest, and the persons below 40 years of age. The assessment of the disability, and of the worsened QoL for patients with eye diseases and their families, as well as for the Bulgarian society, is of primary significance for the creation of positive practices as performing of screening programs, etc.

The planning may be determined as prediction and prognosis making of human resources in a long-term plan, in conformity with the aims of the particular healthcare institution. It is prepared by the medical manager based on different analyses and prognoses with the purpose of ensuring the needed number of human resources. The aim of the study is an exploration of some of the reasons for the shortage of human resources in the healthcare system. In order to be achieved the realization of the aim set, a task was assigned for analysis of the main aspects of human resource planning in the healthcare system. Data from available scientific sources on the subject were used; they were published in different scientific issues. The results from the study demonstrate that the human resource planning is usually determined by the volume of work, however, due to the specificity of the activities in the health care system, it is usually determined by the type of labour functions – basic, governing, assisting. The future needs of personnel are fully determined by the mission, strategy, and aims of the organization. A conclusion may be drawn that the human resource planning is a necessary condition for effective management of human resources, and it has a significant and decisive role in the prosperity of the particular hospital.

Public healthcare is a field, in which the limited resources must be distributed upon competition between the different necessities of patients and in the setting of rivalry between health care institutions providing medical services. The aim of the study is disclosure of the factors, which influence the state and activity of two healthcare institutions for specialized medical aid in Sofia City. The task of analysis of the marketing plans of two diagnostics and consultancy centre DCCs) was assigned for the period from the year 2016 to 2018. The analysis of the medical and demographic state of the population of Metropolitan Municipality showed that it is necessary efforts to be directed to complete enveloping of the population of up to 18 years of age and above 45 years of age with prophylactic examinations and their enveloping in groups of outpatient registration. The examinations based on outpatient registration were approximately 4% of the total scope of the activity of "DCC XXIInd-Sofia" and about 10% of the total scope of activity of "DCC XXIVth-Sofia". The analysis of the necessities from medical services and the possibilities of their offering showed that the usability of the capacity of XXIVth DCC was 61%, while the usability of the capacity of XXIInd DCC was 91%. The attention of the administration of health care institutions for specialized pre-hospital medical aid must be directed to contractual relations with the firms by voluntary health insurance companies or by the services of occupational medicine.

Nowadays, there is no operation in the field of abdominal surgery, which cannot be performed laparoscopically. Both surgeons and patients have at their disposal an increasing number of laparoscopic techniques to perform the surgical interventions. The prevalence of laparoscopic cholecystectomy is due to its undeniable advantages over the traditional open surgery, namely small invasiveness, reducing the frequency and severity of perioperative complications, the incomparably better cosmetic result, and the so much better medical and social, and medical and economic efficiency. Single-port laparoscopic techniques to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy are acceptable alternative to the classical conventional multi-port techniques. The security of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy requires precise identification of anatomical structures and precise observing the diagnostic and treatment protocols, and criteria for selection of patients to be treated surgically by these methods.

In addition to the emergency medical services the victims of various disasters and accidents need to keep their dignity as human beings. Dignity is a term used in morals and ethics to designate that people have the right to be respected and treated ethically. Providers of emergency medical services perform their activities in compliance with the rules of good medical practices while keeping professional secrecy and observing patient rights. Patient rights and in particular moral rights ensure respect for patients’ lives and dignity in the health care system. The aim of the research is to study the ethical dilemma of saving patients’ lives and protecting their dignity in cases of emergency. The purpose of the survey is to study the medical, ethical and legal aspects of the issue. A documentary method of collection data from scientific sources is used with regard to the different aspects of the topic. In a number of cases during their routine medical practice, especially in emergencies, medical experts have to make their choice of medical behavior – whether it has to comply with ethics or law. Making the right decision and choice of behavior depends on the moral values, professional training, knowledge of legal requirements and personal qualities of the relevant medical professional. One should always take into account that protecting victims’ dignity is especially important in emergencies when they feel most vulnerable.

The stress contributes to almost all medical illnesses while the acute and chronic stress - related to work - is a primary cause of such life-threatening conditions as myocardial infarction, brain stroke, etc. The aim of the current study is an investigation of the methods for team building related to prevention and therapy in connection with acute or chronic stress. The accomplishment of the aim set is achieved by means of assessment of the applicability of laughter therapy, as a method for team building suitable in practice. It was found that the laughter therapy may help reduction of stress and tension, improvement of the quality of work, strengthening of the social relations and interrelations, etc. Increasingly more studies maintain the theory that the laughter may have therapeutic value and brings about physical benefits to the particular individual, as a member of the personnel. The laughter is a part of human behavior, and it helps people to clarify their intentions in the social interaction. The laughter is used as a signal for accepting the positive interactions with other people and is a precondition for friendly attitude in the working environment as well. Conclusions may be drawn that the laughter therapy is a suitable method for team building; the laughter therapy is appropriate for everyone as a means for the alleviation of stress, and it has a positive impact on the working process. In terms of business, a positive assessment of the methods for pulling together of members of the collective (team building) may be given by a way which has subsequent positive consequences on their work.

The disaster situations have become more and more frequent for the last decade, and they have intensified the manifestation of fragmentation of the modern society, bringing about a sense of helplessness. In those conditions, the art therapeutic groups provide a sense of connection with the other people and interpersonal support. The aim of the current study is an examination of the way, by which the brain and body react to events causing an acute stress reaction. Assessment of art therapy applicability and helpfulness is done in connection with disaster situations, and comparative analysis of the main approaches and methods, used in practice of work with people who had suffered traumatic events. The results of the study show that the new type of art therapists may disclose an emotional problem, related to trauma sustained, that the client cannot cope with on his/her own. The focus - in connection with the choice of method - is concentrated on the therapeutic needs of the person. In terms of the particular individual, the different methods of art therapy create a medium for the achievement of alleviation from insurmountable emotions or traumas. In social terms, the latter methods help to be achieved an increase of the sense for social adaptation of people from all ages, and of whole families. In conclusion, it may be stated, that the use of different forms of support after disaster situations, has major significance for recovery and maintenance of the physical, emotional, and mental health of the population.

Risk is the probability of an event occurrence at a certain moment with a negative impact on the population, territory, environment, cultural values and material valuables. The management of risk situations is necessary for any organization in which unforeseen circumstances may arise. The management of risk situations includes quantitatively expressing risk and its manifestation; risk assessment and risk analysis. Effectiveness in dealing with risky situation coordination is needed to be established between the management vertical and horizontal structures in the State. Preventing, controlling and overcoming the consequences impose an integral process of management and planning events. The requirements for growing professionalism in the management of all levels are obvious.

INTRODUCTION This Canadian study examines the prevalence of smoking restrictions in homes before and after the implementation of a public smoking ban, and their relation to tobacco use and cessation among a cohort of smokers. METHODS Data were from a longitudinal cohort study of 1,058 smokers in the province of Quebec, Canada. Baseline data were collected through a population-based survey conducted 1 month before the implementation of the smoking ban with a representative sample of smokers. Follow-up data were collected 18 months after the ban with a response rate of 68%. Logistic regressions, paired t tests and chi-square statistics were used to examine the factors associated with smoking restrictions in homes, cigarette consumption, and quit attempts. RESULTS Many smokers imposed partial or full smoking restrictions in their homes but proportions of smoke-free homes did not change significantly between baseline and follow-up. The presence of young children and nonsmokers significantly predicted full smoking restriction in the home. Knowledge about risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) and skepticism about the efficacy of methods to reduce exposure in the home also predicted maintenance of voluntary smoking restrictions in homes. The uptake of smoke-free homes was not associated with the quantity of cigarettes smoked or quit attempts. CONCLUSIONS No significant change in home smoking bans was found 18 months after implementation of a public smoking ban. There remains a need for efforts to better inform smokers about health risks from exposure to SHS in homes and the reality that strategies other than a total smoking ban inside the home are ineffective.

This study aims to describe online poker gambling patterns and associated problems in a representative sample of university students. The study sample consisted of 366 past-year online and offline poker gamblers and was drawn from a larger survey sample of full-time undergraduate students (N=2,139) randomly selected across four university campuses in Montreal, Canada. The questionnaire included self-reported measures of poker gambling patterns and problems, negative consequences of gambling, drinking problems, and illicit drug use. Online poker was found to be associated with problem gambling, over-spending and debt, as well as problems with university studies, interpersonal relationships, and illicit drug use. Given the propensity of university students to adopt risky behaviours, on-campus prevention programs are warranted in the midst of the online poker craze, especially given that online gambling remains unregulated. Detection tools should be available for students to recognize critical shifts in their gambling habits from a leisure activity to a risky endeavour.