Expiriances of existing exchanges within Europa

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Expiriances of existing exchanges within Europa

• BULGARIA GERMANY
• Brno08

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To gain theoretical knowledge from
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NABOO ZVA

• NABOO has for years a traditional and very
  productive relationship with German colleagues.
  We organize together basic training courses on
  the subject Refraction, seminars on marketing,
  visits of trade fairs and German colleges and
  firms

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NABOO and the Education
The technical college (National College for
Precise Optics and Mechanics Mikhail Lomonosov)
was established 60 years ago. It is the only one
in the Balkan region that provides education in
the field of eye optics. NABOO cooperated in
2004 for the preparation of legislative
requirements in Bulgaria concerning eye optics.
In our opinion to day there is a lack
of Textbooks Teachers as experts in the
field Linking the theory with practice. A
pending question is the actual curriculum and the
duration of the training, which in effect of this
year was reduced to1year-duration. The eye
opticians in Bulgaria are recognized as
third-level specialists , and the optometrist
forth-level specialist . NABOO initiated the
changes in healthcare legislation of Bulgaria.
Both professions of an ophthalmic optician
and optometrist were reintegrated and re-defined
as healthcare professions. The new Regulation
which is underway shall define the scope of
practice of ophthalmic optics and optometry .
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Part of Industry

• in exception of one or two leading manufacturers
  is no interest to educate customers and push the
  market to a higher level
• reason
• low income of people
• no or low brand awareness
• low turn over with brand products

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First impressions

• mainly ophthalmic opticians
• work experience often gt 10 years
• practical skills excellent
• lack of theoretical knowledge
• but strong interest in information

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BRNO contact

• Need of courses
• Invitation to Bulgaria for a 5 day course in
  refraction
• Script was translated into Bulgarian
• Course was held in German and Bulgarian
  simultaneous translation
• Material was provided partly by NABOO,
  participants and Sebastian

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AIM

• Every participant should understand the process
  of refraction after this course.
• Optimum The participants can perform a
  refraction.

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Methode

• Theory was reduced to a standard level
• Share of praxis gt60
• Allocation of participants in 3 working groups
• Structured mix of theory and praxis
• Final Test (theory only)

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Results

• All participants were enthusiastically
• All understood the principles
• but gt 60 discontinued in practicing
• reasons
• position of ophthalmologists in Bulgaria?- unique
  symbiose AO-AA !
• customers have other awareness of opticians
• not brave enough to du it alone? That is true !

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Planned Actions?

• CE Programm
• Further search for opportunities of establishment
  of an Optometry College or Optometry Department
  to the University.