The tension between the need to improve health care system, the patients’ satisfaction and knowing how to provide the necessary attention is causing the development of patient-orientated plans. With the same aim, Inter HECS and Plovdiv Medical University organized successfully the course “Communication with Patients”. The interactive informative class was held on the 27^th, 28^th and 29^th November at the Plovdiv Medical University and was led by Dr. John and Dr. Kitova, who are both British doctors that have graduated in Bulgaria. 

Dr. Oommen John started his medical education in Bulgaria in 1997 and qualified in 2004 from Medical University-Plovdiv. On graduation he worked at The Robert Gordon University and the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Dr. John started his specialist training in General Practice in the Wessex deanery and qualified as a GP in 2011. He has special interests in diabetes and health service management.

Dr. Margarita Kitova has also graduated in Bulgaria. She is currently working as a GP principal in the UK. Before that, she completed the Foundation Programme and GP training in the Wessex Deanery. Since 2012, Dr. Kitova is a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners. Her professional interests are in women’s and sexual health, practice management and prescribing.

The seminar led by Dr. John and Dr. Kitova and organized by Inter HECS aimed to prepare medical students and junior doctors for work in the UK and other countries from the EU. Throughout the course, the participants had the chance to improve and develop their communication skills with patients and colleagues appropriate to the UK NHS setting, as well as to polish skills in physical examination. They also took part of the role play of clinical scenarios and use of clinical laboratory results and had the opportunity to learn how to prepare a portfolio or CV.

The workshop was interactive, with discussions and participation of both lecturers and students. The course also presented the differences between Bulgarian and British health systems.

All participants had the opportunity to receive a certificate of completion recognized by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education.