The present study highlights the value of gastronomy and culinary practices in Făgăraș County as a dimension of the Intangible Cultural Heritage that can contribute to the sustainable development of the area. The field research carried out within an interdisciplinary project of the Transilvania University of Brașov pointed out the importance of the different “ciorbe” (sour soups) in the local gastronomy of Făgăraș County. Our groundwork found some traditional local soups and soup recipes. Starting from these results, the study stresses the opportunity to exploit this heritage resource through social entrepreneurship. To uphold this perspective, our study highlights that soups and sour soups are prepared with local ingredients, that women in the area are experienced and have the willingness to cook together. The tourist specificity of the area favors the creation of a local network between entrepreneurs from all over the country. The main contribution of the study derives from the fact that it presents arguments that show the generosity of gastronomy and culinary practices as a heritage resource, illustrating that a popular culinary product can grow and become a local brand.

The sustainable development of tourism in protected areas and the planning of its development is extremely important for mountain regions. The local population and tourists have a very important role in this process. Therefore, surveys of the local population and visitor satisfaction represent the basis of this research. The Vršac Mountains Outstanding Natural Landscape (ONL) could represent a significant destination for sustainable tourism. This mountainous area is characterized by a favorable geographical position, a diversity of natural and social factors, rare flora and fauna, and the rich ethno-social heritage of the local population. It is in a very favorable geographical position, and the proximity of the big cities Serbia and Romania, as well as many other factors, are important for tourism development in this area. A quantitative methodology was used for the purposes of this paper during our research. The purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of tourism development on the satisfaction of residents and visitors of the ONL by applying a survey technique, with the help of a questionnaire as a research instrument. A total of 1419 respondents were surveyed (789 residents and 630 visitors). The research results show that the ecological and socio-cultural dimensions of sustainability have the greatest importance for the respondents, and that these two dimensions of sustainability have the greatest impact on sustainable tourism in this protected area. Our main research hypothesis, which states that sustainable tourism has a positive impact on the satisfaction of residents and visitors, is fully confirmed. These data could be significant for tourism planning and the management of protected areas.

Background Patients’ expectations and needs for healthcare services are changing. These changes are correlated with changes in disease profiles, a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, the introduction of new and innovative treatments and health technologies, and the emergence of new social and economic contexts. National health reports on Romania show that decisions in healthcare planning are not correlated with the health needs of the population. At the same time, this report shows a high degree of unmet healthcare needs of the Romanian population (related to cost, distance and waiting times), especially for low-income populations. The objective of the study was to identify the unmet needs of the population in relation to primary care medical services in the context of actual health regulations through a pilot study in a representative county in Romania. Methods The study is survey-based, and part of a health needs assessment programme commissioned by the District Health Authority to the university. A questionnaire with 21 items was designed to gather information about the structures, processes and outcomes of primary care from the perspective of the population. A total of 877 questionnaires were returned and validated. The data were analysed with SPSS version 25. Results Access to primary care was considered to be good by most of the population. Most of the settlements have a family doctor, and 80.5% can schedule an appointment on the same or the following day. Most basic medical services are provided, except for out-of-hours primary care services and cervical cancer screening. The family doctors are considered to be a reliable health resource. Conclusions Despite limitations in the practice of family medicine in Romania and therefore a narrow spectrum of services offered by primary care in general, the level of contentment of the population with this healthcare resource is still high. Barriers to access are related to the lack of some essential services, especially preventive and out-of-hours services. Unmet needs are presumably not recognised by patients due to a lack of medical culture. Further research is needed to clarify this conclusion. Key words: unmet health needs, primary care, Romania

Aims: Context data have revealed that certain healthcare needs of the population are unmet. Local and national health authorities need to learn about these needs in order to better plan healthcare resources. HNA (Health Needs Assessment) is an acknowledged method aimed at identifying gaps in healthcare. We have considered the distinction among perceived needs, expressed needs and normative needs, as each category contributes to a deeper understanding regarding which healthcare services require more improvement. Material and methods. This study is an analysis of the perceived Health needs of the population of Brasov County. 1200 questionnaires were distributed in the adult population of Brașov County, considering a mapping of all type of communities. It was a self-administered questionnaire the location of delivery were family physicians' offices and local Councils. It has used the 36 SF Health questionnaires. 877 questionnaires were returned and validated. Data was analyzed with SPSS. The statistical error is 3.32% at a p=95%. Results: 15.2% of the population perceives a worsening of the health since last year, 30% are not able to perform physical activity, and 15% can't bend or kneel. 26.7% have a disposition that has altered interpersonal relationship and 30% had difficulty in performing tasks at home or at work due to depressive ideas. 10% had problems with alcohol consumption and 17% were current smokers. Conclusions: Data are revealing health problems in the community that are actual or potential. This type of data is only a rough mapping of the problems. Health services need to be developed to tackle specific needs like screening for depression, psychotherapy, Stop smoking programs, Alcohol support groups and nutritional counselling. Rezumat: Scop. Datele de context au relevat faptul că anumite nevoi de asistență medicală ale populației nu sunt satisfăcute. Autoritățile locale și naționale de sănătate trebuie să învețe despre aceste nevoi pentru a planifica mai bine resursele de asistență medicală. HNA (Evaluarea Nevoilor de Sănătate) este o metodă recunoscută care vizează identificarea lacunelor din asistența medicală. Am considerat distincția dintre nevoile percepute, nevoile exprimate și nevoile normative, deoarece fiecare categorie contribuie la o înțelegere mai profundă a serviciilor de asistență medicală care necesită îmbunătățiri suplimentare. Material și metodă. Acest studiu este o analiză a nevoilor de sănătate percepute ale populației județului Brașov. Au fost distribuite 1200 de chestionare la populația adultă a județului Brașov, luând în considerare o cartografiere a tuturor tipurilor de comunități. A fost un chestionar autoadministrat, utilizânduse chestionarul 36 SF Health. 877 chestionare au fost returnate și validate. Datele au fost analizate cu SPSS. Eroarea statistică este 3,32% la p = 95% Rezultate. 15,2% din populație percepe o agravare a sănătății față de anul anterior, 30% nu sunt capabili să efectueze activitate fizică, 15% având dificultăți de mers, 26,7% au avut o dispoziție care a ...

Background National health reports on Romania show that decisions in healthcare planning are not correlated with the health needs of the population and that there is a high degree of unmet healthcare needs of the population (related to cost, distance and waiting times), especially for low-income populations. Family medicine is facing underfinancing, slow pace of development. Methods The research is part of a wider project of health services needs assessment in county Brasov, Romania. A subset of questions where dedicated to identifying the perception of population on primary healthcare services. Comparison with previous national and international studies was done. Results The characteristics of the population questioned: predominantly women (67.2%), 61.1% graduates of high school or other professional schools. 97.4% are registered with a FD. The average number of visits at the FD is 11.25, higher than the national average of 7.7 reported in a previous study in 2009. Access to the FD is appreciated as satisfactory in terms of availability of doctors in the community (97.4%), opening times by (91.1%), phone access (90.5%). Only 26.6% of participants reported a same day opportunity to reach the FD. Continuity of care is reported as present in 58.7% of cases in out of hours centres. The population is appreciating the fact that FDs knows their history (90%), knows how to treat them (88.2%). Most of the preventative services are offered by FDs. 94.4% flu vaccination, 85.6% pregnancy monitoring, 90.7% well child visits. Procedures like blood draws, pap smear have less availability (46.2% respectively 63.1%). Conclusions Despite limitations in the practice of family medicine in Romania and therefore a narrow spectrum of services offered by primary care in general, the level of contentment of the population with this healthcare resource is still high. Barriers to access are related to the lack of some essential services, especially preventive and out-of-hours services. Research at national level should be done in order to better categorize population’ perceptions on primary care and be able to use their opinion to influence policies and healthcare planning. Key words: unmet health needs, population’s perception, primary care, Romania