SWOT analysis of Eastern Medicine developments in Bulgaria

Vankova, Desislava

doi:10.14748/sssp.v4i0.5580

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Numerous books published in Bulgaria that cite folk medicine indicate that traditional knowledge was not neglected but favored by the state during Communism, in contrast to religion. Hence, the interest not only in traditional/"old" knowledge but also in the traditional medicine of other cultures was promoted on an official level, especially in the case of Chinese medicine [159]. Conversely, sweet basil, being part of folk beliefs, rarely finds a place in school textbooks on religion.…”

Section: Online Questionnairementioning

confidence: 99%

Sweet Basil between the Soul and the Table—Transformation of Traditional Knowledge on Ocimum basilicum L. in Bulgaria

Ivanova

Bosseva

Chervenkov

et al. 2023

Plants

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The study tracks the utilization of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil)—a garden plant popular for its ritual and ornamental value in the past, that is currently applied in various forms and ways as medicine, food, insect repellent, etc.—in Bulgaria. Previous data for Bulgarian rural home gardens showed a significant number of preserved local landraces; however, it remained unclear how people perceive the large varietal diversity of this species and how the traditions related to its use are preserved. We combined a literature review on the cultural value of sweet basil and the breeding of local genetic resources with an online questionnaire, directed to adult laypeople, that sought to access different aspects of past (recalled) and present use and related knowledge. The identification skills of the participants were tested using images of local plant landraces and foreign varieties. Responses from 220 participants showed that potted “Genovese”-type individual was most frequently identified as sweet basil (89.9%), followed by two examples of local landraces in flower. Participants who grow sweet basil or used it in more varied ways had significantly better identification skills. Ocimum basilicum was most frequently reported as food, while ritual/symbolic use was preserved while devalued during the Communism regime (1945–1989). Food and religious uses were negatively associated in the past, but presently, the tendency is completely reversed. Preferences for the informal exchange of seeds and seed-saving practices were discussed.

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Section: Online Questionnairementioning

confidence: 99%

Sweet Basil between the Soul and the Table—Transformation of Traditional Knowledge on Ocimum basilicum L. in Bulgaria

Ivanova

Bosseva

Chervenkov

et al. 2023

Plants

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“…Furthermore, they also found other significant opportunities to provide traditional health services which include: ongoing support from the European Parliament to provide eastern medicine, expansion of complementary medicine practices in the USA and UK, recognition of acupressure and moxibustion from UNESCO, integration of eastern medicine into the national health bill, and the openness of Bulgarian's society toward eastern medicine. 20 Similarly in Indonesia, traditional and complementary medicine is one among 17 types of health services recommended by the National Health Bill No. 36/2009.…”

Section: Original Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

Internal and external factors of providing quality traditional health services in public health centres in Tabanan District, Bali, Indonesia

Murdita¹,

Duarsa²,

Sanjaya³

2020

phpma

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Background and purpose: Traditional health services has been integrated into health services at the public health center (PHC), however, its implementation remains suboptimal. Situational analysis is required to identify implementation factors of traditional health services. This study aims to explore key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of providing quality traditional health services at PHCs in Tabanan District. Methods: A qualitative study using an explorative case study design was conducted across PHCs in Tabanan District between January and February 2020. We utilized a SWOT analysis framework to facilitate our study. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 14 informants. They were purposively selected to allow rich data being collected. Six informants were considered as key informants and eight informants were considered as supporting informants. Data were analyzed using thematic approach. Results: The strengths of PHCs in Tabanan District to provide quality traditional health services include commitment and competency of health providers, trust towards traditional medicine from health staff and community members, promotional activities, the tariff scheme and an established partnership with traditional healers. The weaknesses include limited numbers of staff, high workload of existing health providers and lack of supporting facilities and financial assistance. The opportunities include support from the community, the potency of traditional medicines, availability of government regulations, an established collaboration between traditional and conventional health services and potential customers brought by tourism industries of Bali Province. The threats include unlicensed traditional healers, lack of support from local governments and irresponsible promotional conducts.Conclusion: Our study reveals key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of providing quality traditional health services at the PHC level in Tabanan District. Findings from our SWOT analysis can be used to develop strategies for improving implementation of traditional health services at the PHC level.

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“…However, the field of CAM is a heterogeneous and culturally diverse concept that comprises many curing methods and systems [6]. For example, In Bulgaria the CAM-modalities, which are native for Asia, as acupuncture and Ayrveda, are popular with the term “Eastern medicine” [14]. The term “folk medicine” (“narodna meditsina”, in Bulgarian) is the most widely used to define the CAM modalities that are native for Bulgaria.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the sociodemographic profile and health-related outcomes of chronically ill homeopathic patients: results from an observational multi-centered study in Bulgaria

Vankova

Kapincheva

2019

BMC Public Health

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BackgroundThe Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) field in Europe has been a focus of research developments and public health policy changes for years. However, these processes are still in their infancy phase in Bulgaria. In this paper, homeopathy is the investigated CAM-modality at a Bulgarian context. The aim is threefold: 1) to outline the sociodemographic profile of the chronically ill adult patients (≥18 years old) who choose homeopathic medical treatment (HMT); 2) To identify the patients’ sources and needs of information about homeopathy, and the reasons to use HMT; and 3) to measure health-related outcomes in patients who have visited homeopathic clinics to look for HMT of their chronic conditions.MethodsA cross-sectional observational multi-centered study (≥18 years old, n = 211) was conducted between June 2016 to Dec. 2017 in Bulgaria. Potentially eligible participants for the study were all chronically ill patients who had been receiving HMT for a year or more and had visited the homeopathic clinics for a follow up within the study period. The EQ-5D-3L instrument was applied with an additional questionnaire on sociodemographic and health related data.Results, discussion and conclusionsThe study results outlined the country specific sociodemographic profile of the chronically ill homeopathic patients in Bulgaria: they are predominantly female, with higher education and at the age groups between 30 and 50.The EQ-5D-3L version, was applied to measure patients’ health-related quality of life and to promote the use of a standardized generic instrument as a complementary and reliable scientific tool to assess the patient-reported outcomes of the homeopathic patients. Regarding the reasons of choice: the participants choose HMT because it is safe and mild, to avoid excessive antibiotic use, because the conventional treatment was not successful, etc. The study confirms the social demand for more scientific information about homeopathy. Participants stated that the medical universities’ curriculum should keep pace with the modern CAM-developments. A key message is that the future of the successful chronic disease management is in the integration of the conventional and CAM-modalities and these processes should be facilitated through public health regulations, education and research. The presented study is a supportive action in this direction.

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SWOT analysis of Eastern Medicine developments in Bulgaria

Cited by 5 publications

References 7 publications

Sweet Basil between the Soul and the Table—Transformation of Traditional Knowledge on Ocimum basilicum L. in Bulgaria

Sweet Basil between the Soul and the Table—Transformation of Traditional Knowledge on Ocimum basilicum L. in Bulgaria

Internal and external factors of providing quality traditional health services in public health centres in Tabanan District, Bali, Indonesia

Investigating the sociodemographic profile and health-related outcomes of chronically ill homeopathic patients: results from an observational multi-centered study in Bulgaria

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