Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026
A Teleoperated Robotic System-Assisted Percutaneous Transiliac-Transsacral Screw Fixation Technique
Published on: January 6, 2023
Challenges to remote medical support at sea in Bulgaria: legislative gaps, operational needs, and integration of
Todor Yotov1, Nikolina Radeva2
1Medical University of Varna, 55 Marin Drinov street, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria. todor_yotov@hotmail.com.
Background:
Remote medical assistance at sea is a critical component of maritime safety. Bulgaria's Telemedical Maritime Assistance Service (TMAS) framework remains underdeveloped despite new national telemedicine laws in 2025. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance benefits of a unified TMAS-Search and Rescue (SAR) system in Bulgaria, assessing its impact on medical care access, coordination between maritime and healthcare authorities, and the economic and safety outcomes of maritime emergencies.
Material And Methods:
A policy and systems analysis reviewed Bulgarian legislation, EU and IMO/ILO conventions, and operational case records from Maritime Regional Coordination Center (MRCC) Varna (2018-2025). Comparative benchmarking was performed with Romania, Greece, Turkey, and Germany. International "one-door" TMAS-SAR models were reviewed. Findings are supported by six data tables.
Results:
Bulgaria's 2025 telemedicine law regulates remote care but provides no TMAS-specific provisions, no designated provider, and no legal integration with SAR. Best-practice "one-door" systems abroad enable faster, better-coordinated medical and SAR responses. Bulgarian case series illustrate delays and frag-mented responsibilities. Comparative countries show functioning TMAS-SAR structures even without dedicated TMAS legislation.
Conclusions:
Bulgaria needs supplementary maritime-specific provisions, formal TMAS provider designation, SAR integration, and quality monitoring to align with international standards and protect seafarer health.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Methods of Documentation II: POMR
01:14SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...