Original Contribution DISTANCE LEARNING- CHALLENGES FOR THE MEDICAL

The number of distance learning programmes offered by several American and European universities has been on the increase. This can be seen in the provision of appropriate courses by the graduate sections of universities taking part in this project. In Bulgaria, however, such an idea is yet to take off, in spite of the existence of computerised infrastructure and the accompanying library facilities, two necessary requirements for this project. Notwithstanding the dearth of this programme in Bulgaria, the Medical University of Varna has had, on a trial basis, successful telemedicine and teleconference video links with the Medical Faculty of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Subsequently, the Information Centre of the Medical University of Varna is currently involved in a series of activities such as video teleconferencing, preparation of interactive lectures and seminars, multimedia projections, and medical videotape projections for small groups of medical post-graduate students. Most importantly, the future of medical education in Bulgaria is predicated on a mix of sound economic background and the level of enthusiasm and commitment displayed by all stakeholders in this project