ATTITUDES, EXPECTATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL MOTIVATION OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDENTS REGARDING THEIR PERFORMANCE IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE AND THE APPLICATION OF TELEMEDICINE
Keywords:
physician assistant, telemedicine, digital competencies, implementation, Emergency medical careAbstract
The profession of "Physician Assistant" is practiced by persons who hold a higher education diploma with a bachelor's degree and are registered in the register of the professional organization. The activity is based on values such as professional competence, honesty, humanity, good faith, tact, psychological and holistic approach, as well as equal treatment of all patients regardless of social, ethnic or religious differences. In many regions of the country, these specialists represent the mainstay of emergency teams, independently or in a team with a doctor, providing life-saving assistance, performing primary clinical assessment, taking measures to stabilize vital functions and organizing timely transportation of patients. However, modern practice places the physician assistant in an environment that is changing rapidly under the influence of digital technologies.
The evolution of digital technologies in healthcare is a dynamic process that is radically transforming modern medical practice. Digitalization is gradually turning from a technical innovation into a structural element of clinical activity.
The purpose of this study is to analyze the attitudes and motivation of students in the specialty "Physician Assistant" towards professional realization in Emergency Medical Care and towards key aspects of telemedicine related to the work of the team. An anonymous and voluntary online survey was conducted through a survey developed in Google Forms. Results: For a large part of the respondents, Emergency Care emerges as a natural continuation of the accumulated practical experience and a preferred field for future realization. Telemedicine is still not sufficiently integrated into the training, which limits the confidence and readiness of students to use it in real clinical situations. The most significant concern for choice is aggression from patients and relatives, followed by insufficient financial evaluation of labor and the lack of clear regulations for independent activity. Regulatory clarity, training and development of digital competencies are needed for good, effective and satisfying work in the structure of Emergency Medical Care
References
Български съюз на лекарските асистенти и фелдшерите. (2025). Становище по писмо от Министерство на здравеопазването, препратено от Министерски съвет, с наш вх. № 33/19.02.2025 г
Врачева, П., & Врачев, В. (2017). Международен опит в развитието на професия „Лекарски асистент“. Обща медицина, 19(2), 63–68. doi.org
Заедно за повече здраве. (б. д.). Дигиталната трансформация е от стратегическо значение за подобряване качеството на здравните грижи. zaednozazdrave.bg
Закон за съсловните организации на медицинските сестри, акушерките и лекарските асистенти, асоциираните медицински специалисти, зъботехниците и помощник-фармацевтите. Държавен вестник. parliament.bg
Министерство на здравеопазването. (2026). Заповед № РД-01-212 от 10 март 2026 г. за утвърждаване на Кодекс за професионална етика на лекарските асистенти. Държавен вестник, (32).
Наредба № 1 от 8 февруари 2011 г. за професионалните дейности, които медицинските сестри, акушерките, лекарските асистенти и фелдшерите могат да извършват по назначение или самостоятелно. Държавен вестник (Наредба № 1 от 8 февруари 2011 г.).
Наредба № Н-5 от 28 април 2026 г. за оказване на медицинска помощ от разстояние. Държавен вестник, (41). https://dv.parliament.bg/DVWeb/showMaterialDV.jsp?idMat=243156
Тончева, С., & Евтимова, Т. (2021). Предизвикателства и решения за медицинските сестри и акушерките в контекста на дигитализацията. В International Interdisciplinary Virtual Meeting “Alumni Club and Friends”, MU-Varna.
Baumgartner, M., Stadler, M., Samwald, M., & Fischer, M. R. (2026). Systemic barriers to curriculum adaptation for rapidly changing knowledge in medical education: Qualitative study. JMIR Medical Education, 12, Article e96244. doi.org
Esperança, M., Ferreira, J. C., & Martins, A. L. (2026). The imperative of digital competence in healthcare professionals: A comparison between Northern and Southern Europe. BMC Health Services Research, 26(1), Article 191. doi.org
Jonathan, S. (2024). Nursing in the digital age: The importance of health technology and its advancement in nursing and healthcare. In Digital technology in public health and rehabilitation care: COVID era (pp. 45–62). Springer. doi.org
Petrova, N. (2025). Digital literacy and generic competencies among nursing students. Varna Medical Forum, 14(2), 158–162.

