WILLINGNESS OF PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN SPECIALIZED HOSPITALS AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO WORK WITH PATIENTS AND CONSUMERS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESSES

Abstract

At the current level of development in psychiatry, in the conditions of deinstitutionalization of mental health services and increased opportunities for control of the symptoms of mental disorders, the problem related to the socialization of patients is becoming more and more relevant. More than 50% of patients with schizophrenia are in a socially active age, which gives rise to the social significance of their rehabilitation.

International practice shows that all specialists dealing with the rehabilitation of patients with mental disorders need to undergo training, which includes the adoption of special methods and techniques. Their work is complex, long and creative.

In Bulgaria there are many national strategies that present different programs for long-term care or only analyze the current situation and care needs. There is no clear vision of how exactly in the future and with what means and specialists this process will take place. The development of psychiatric care lags far behind the needs of the population. There is a serious risk that the lack of trained specialists can ruin the good intentions for deinstitutionalization.

The goal of the present study is to examine the readiness of specialists working in specialized medical institutions and social services to work with patients and users suffering from mental illness.

A survey method was used among specialists from medical institutions and social services for patients with mental and behavioral disorders.

Most of the specialists in psychiatric hospitals in Bulgaria feel prepared to work with the mentally ill - 88.9%;

Almost everyone believes that they need additional training.