Advocating migrant and minority health in Bulgaria through an innovative education subject

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Migrants and ethnic minorities often face serious inequities concerning their access to good quality health services. The Statement by the European Public Health Association on migration, ethnicity and health addresses the need of supporting public health policy makers by providing education courses. The objectives of the teaching course “Migrant and minority health”, established in Medical University-Pleven in Bulgaria as optional additional subject, is to extend the specific knowledge of students (bachelors and masters of public health) and to develop competencies and skills of future public health practitioners and policy makers. Results The unique for Bulgaria course consists of 15 academic hours of the curriculum and ends with an electronically based test. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars and individual practical assignment and stresses on practice rather than theory. The training advocates migrant and minority health by presenting: the most important migrant’s social and health problems; impact of migrants’ health status on public health; the organization of healthcare in the recipient countries of migrants. The lecture course provides information for the main challenges facing healthcare professionals and the health system regarding the health of the migrants and main minorities groups, in particular the Roma as a predominantly ethnic minority in Bulgaria and Europe. The result of exam until now is good in 42.8% of students, very good in 14.2% and excellent in 42.8%. The curse enable public health professionals to acquire knowledge regarding to the international situation, critical assessment skills and the ability to implement appropriate strategies to address specific health problems. Conclusions The training meets the needs of in-depth knowledge of public health specialists in relation to the medical and social problems of migrants and minorities in Bulgaria. The positive experience gives ground to include it as part of basic curricula. Key messages The subject “Migrant and minority health” enhances student’s competencies as public health practitioners. Knowledge and skills are relevant to the EUPHA Statement on migration, ethnicity and health. By the subject “Migrant and minority health” public health practitioners may work to establish friendly health system with good quality of health services for migrants and Roma population in Bulgaria.