Concept Model of Internet Based Strategy and Management System of the Bulgarian Healthcare

Globalization and development of internet based information and communication technologies lead to radical changes in the health systems of all countries in the world. In order to respond to the challenges of these changes and to insure better health of its nations and individuals in the new XXI century, the European Union as a whole, as well as the governments of USA, Canada and other industrially leading countries, have developed and implemented political initiatives for electronic management of the healthcare and “e-Health”. Bulgaria as a candidate-member for full integration in the European Union in 2007 and actively participating in the globalization processes should also develop and implement its strategy and model of “e-Health”. In this connection the study tries to systemize the results from the scientific studies of the author and to present for discussions the developed methodological approach and concept model of internet based strategy and system for electronic management of the Bulgarian healthcare. Executing the set objective studied and solved are the following tasks: 1. Reasoned is a rational choice of methodological approach, which on one hand allows Bulgaria to avoid the already made by other countries mistakes, and on other hand to fasten the process of development and implementation of the European political initiative “e-Health” with the limited financial resources it has. 2. Drawn out are the factors and criteria for optimal choice of adaptive strategy for development of “e-Health” in Bulgaria as a consistent element of “e-Health Europe”. 3. Stated are the principles and objectives of the chosen adaptive strategy for development of “e-Health” in the country. 4. Developed are theoretical-methodological bases of the concept model and hierarchy structure of “e-Health”. 5. Drawn out are directions and concrete steps of the main participants in the development and implementing of the electronic management of the Bulgarian healthcare. The theoretical generalizations and methodological bases of the concept model of “e-Health” – Bulgaria are made on the basis of contemporary analysis of the “best practices” in the theoretical models of “e-Health” in Europe and the world, as well as on the basis of the profound analysis of the state and forecast for development of the Bulgarian healthcare.