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BACKGROUND: Self-management is an active approach to coping and assuming responsibility on the part of a person, independently or in collaboration with medical specialists, to manage his/her health status. In cases of chronic diseases, the stigma of an uncertain future is a norm; it dominates and often suppresses the everyday routine. In this context, the need of training in self-management appears to be a pressing one in socially significant diseases, and is aimed at helping patients, especially elderly and old ones, cope with the clinical symptoms, with the psycho-social consequences in the way of life and with the changes in risky behavior. AIM: Researching the level of informity of people aged 65 or more, considering activities for self-observation and self-control and resources of health information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous survey of randomly selected 340 people aged 60 and over was conducted in the period from April 2020 to February 2021. Methods applied: Descriptive statistics with amount-measured quantities. To analyses the data there have been used: Dispersive analysis (one-way ANOVA), alternative analysis, non-parametric analysis-Pearson’s criterion of agreement (χ2 –ksi-square) at the testing of hypotheses for statistically significant correlation between factorial and resultative indices; and correlational analysis according to Spearman and graphic analysis. For standard of significance of the zero hypothesis, there has been perceived p < 0.05. RESULTS: The obtained data serve as sufficient grounds to claim that the level of awareness of the use of simple diagnostic activities for self-management and self-control is inadequate in view of the predominant chronic conditions. The information requested by the respondents reflects significant educational needs connected mainly with their condition–77.9%, drug therapy–54.4%, behavioral risk factors and prophylactic measures and recommendations. CONCLUSION: The respondents showed clearly expressed preferences, willingness, and desire to be informed by medical specialists–doctors and nurses. Their contribution in the sphere of health education so far has been insufficient, humble, and yet to develop its full potential.

Ageing is a clearly identifiable time and life period that is associated with a number of medico-social problems, which are to a great extent connected to the changes that occur in the organism at that age. Together with the problems, due to involutive processes and the functional peculiarities, one should not underestimate such, connected to morbidity. Aim: To research and analyze the health status of the elderly people. Materials and methods - There has been conducted a direct individual anonymous questionnaire amongst elderly people aged 60 or more, through accidental principle, in the period between April 2016 and February 2018. Results: The analysis of the health status of the elderly people shows multiple pathologies - highest is the rate of the cardiac diseases. A characteristic feature of the pathology with the elderly people is its multitude - 49% have stated two and three diseases. Women have more often three and more diseases, and with men there prevail the percentage without any diseases. The city dwellers are with higher average rate of the number of diseases and it is more often that they suffer from chronic diseases. 65,2% of the respondents with lower incomes (up to 150 lv.) have been in dispensaries owing to a chronic disease. Highest is the rate of the respondents who assess their health status as satisfactory – 49,1%.

Modern European systems of education and training in the field of healthcare are designed to train competent professionals able to provide high quality healthcare to society, and also motivated to continue improving their education and training. The job of the registered nurse requires high professionalism and participation in continuous post-graduate training and courses so that nurses can maintain a high level of competence. The mentor of future nurses has to be able to identify the different levels of acquired knowledge, skills and competences in trainees. Aim: The aim of this study is to establish the pedagogical competence of mentors and their readiness and preparation to participate in the process of training and education during the pre-graduation traineeship of the future registered nurse. Methods and subjects: In order to research the opinion of mentors of their own pedagogical competence and skills to participate in the training process during pre-graduation traineeship of the trainee-nurses assigned to them, we surveyed mentors at the following university hospitals – ‘St. George’ University Hospital, Plovdiv, MPHAL AD Haskovo, ‘Dr. At. Dafovski’ MPHAT Kardzhali, University Hospital – Stara Zagora. Findings and discussion: The questionnaire included questions to the mentors for the purpose of establishing their opinion of the required pedagogical competences and the need of further training of the mentors, and, if such need is established, the topics that should be covered. Further training of mentors shall facilitate a better quality training process during pre-graduation traineeships. By mastering pedagogical and methodological skills for working with trainees, mentors will be able to participate more fully and productively in the practical training of the students. Conclusion: The high competence of the mentor comprises skills to communicate efficiently and demonstrate a kind and positive attitude to students and patients, and gain their confidence.