Contacts
Prof. Dr. Rositsa Tsvetanova Dimova, MD – Head of the Department
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 032 200 999, 4999
Education
The Department was founded in 2007 along with the newest faculty of the Medical University-Plovdiv – The faculty of Public Health “Prof.Dr.T.Zahariev”.
The department comprises 3 sections: “Health Management”, “Health Economics” and “General Practice”.
Academic Staff
Prof. Dr. Rositsa Tsvetanova Dimova, MD, PhD – Head of Department
Prof. Donka Dimitrova, PhD
Assoc. Prof. Nikolay Georgiev Atanasov, PhD
e-mail: [email protected]
Assoc. Prof. Todor Staikov Stoev, PhD
Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Shopov, MD, PhD
Assoc. Prof. Rumyana Stoyanova, PhD – Administrative Assistant
Phone: 032 200 998
e-mail: [email protected]
Senior Asst. Prof. Boryana Angelova Levterova, MD, PhD
Chief Assistant Professor Yana Kashilska – Petkova, PhD
Asst. Prof. Vesela Dimitrova Baleva
Stanimira Guncheva – Staff assistant
Research
In recent years, the Department of Health Management and Health Economics has focused its scientific activity on the following thematic areas:
- health management technology;
- organization and management of health systems and medical institutions;
- health planning and evidence-based health policy;
- quality assessment and management in medicine;
- technologies and approaches for assessing health needs;
- accessibility and equity in public health;
- culture of safety and safe health care in medical and health organisations;
- organizational aspects of the social responsibility of health organisations;
- modern models and application of a person-centered approach in medicine;
- interdisciplinary studies in the field of public health;
- health expenditure – content, financing, connection with economic dynamics and income distribution;
- financial management of healthcare organisations.
Department members have received several awards and diplomas at leading national and international scientific forums. The “White Paper on Value-Based Healthcare”, published in 2012 and edited by Prof. Dr. L. Ivanov, MD, with contributions from Assoc. Prof. Dr. G. Ivanov, MD, and Prof. D. Dimitrova, MD, received a diploma from the Minister of Health in recognition of their contributions to healthcare reform.
The department maintains an active research profile, demonstrated by the high publication output of its academic staff. Between 2012 and 2017, department associates published over 146 scientific works, including 47 in international journals, 32 of which have an impact factor. From 2018 to 2022, the Department of Environmental and Social Sciences produced over 100 publications, with 48 appearing in Scopus- or Web of Science-indexed journals and 21 with a Thomson Reuters impact factor. Faculty have presented more than 80 scientific communications at national and international meetings. Departmental research has been cited over 370 times, including more than 220 citations by foreign scientists.
The Department served as the main co-organizer of the First and Second Bulgarian-Greek International Conferences in 2009 and 2010. Faculty members also participate in the annual international “Science and Youth” competition for young scientists and doctoral students, organised by the Medical University – Plovdiv and the Bulgarian National Academy of Sciences.
Since the Department’s establishment, numerous projects have been implemented. For the period 2003-2025, representatives of the academic staff of the department have participated as leaders or members in the implementation of university projects financed by MU Plovdiv, national projects financed by the Operational Program “Science and Education for Smart Growth” 2014-2020, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, and international projects:
| Year | Project Title | Funding Institutions |
| 2003 | Harmonisation of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in General Medicine with European criteria and standards | Bulgarian Government, World Bank |
| 2005 | Development of national standards in General Medicine | Ministry of Health, |
| 2006 | Screening in general practice in Bulgaria | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| 2007 | Access of vulnerable social groups in Bulgaria to health services | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| 2007 | Creation of a system for effective distance e-learning for Master’s students in Public Health | European Social Fund of the EU |
| 2011 | Model for early diagnosis of burnout syndrome among high-risk categories of healthcare professionals | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| 2011 | Contingent valuation of willingness to pay among patients with dermatological and dental diseases | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| 2011 | Patient-centered approach to increase participation in colorectal cancer screening | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| 2012 | White Paper on value-based healthcare | Bulgarian Association of Medical Devices Traders |
| 2012 | Training project for general practitioners on environment and health | European Social Fund of the EU |
| 2012 | Public health monitoring of chronic diseases – multidisciplinary approach | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| 2013 | Study of compliance in CRC screening using iFOB test | European General Practice Research Network |
| 2014 | Validation of EUROPEP patient survey tool and national study | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| 2017 | Web-based platform for hospital culture and patient safety assessment | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| 2019 | Markers of oxidative stress and insulin resistance in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| 2021 | Impact of COVID-19 on patients with rheumatic diseases | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| 2023 | Markers of intestinal permeability and inflammation in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| BG05M20P001-2.016-0018 | Moderna-A: Digitalisation of academic ecosystem | EU Operational Programme |
| 2022 | Study of stress-induced conditions during COVID-19 and web platform STOP COVID-19 STRESS | Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie |
| 2024 | Assessment of metal ions and isoprostanes in saliva | National Recovery and Resilience Plan |
| 2025 | Effect of CBD and cannabis terpenes on pain and anxiety | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| 2025 | ICT in pharmacy – telepharmacy | Medical University – Plovdiv |
| 2025 | Bottled water and health risk | Medical University – Plovdiv |
Textbooks
Textbooks and teaching aids
Lecturers from the Department of Health Management and Health Economics have participated in the writing of the following textbooks and teaching aids:
• Dimova, R. Medical Quality. Medical University of Plovdiv, 2021
• Atanasov, N. Collection of Case Studies on Financial Management in Healthcare. Medical University of Plovdiv, 2020
• Atanasov N. Financial Management in Healthcare. Published by Medical University of Plovdiv, 2017.
• Dimova R, Stoyanova R, Tarnovska M, Stoev T. Terminological Compendium on Health Management, Lax Book, 2016.
• Ivanova N, Dimitrova D, Kirov L, Ivanov G. Quality of General Medical Care. Current Aspects of General Medical Practice, Volume III. Published by Lax Book, Plovdiv, 2015.
• Dimitrova D. Practical assignment No. 6: Trust as a fundamental ethical concept in general medical practice. In Practical classes in General Medicine. ed. by M. Lyochkova, Med. Publishing House Lax Book, 2015
• Paunov St. Economics of health care: A short lecture course. Publishing House Macros, Plovdiv, 2014.
• Stoyanov D. et al. Guide to diagnosis and prevention of burnout syndrome in health professionals. Publishing House Iztok-Zapad, 2012.
• Ivanov G., D. Dimitrova “Introduction to general medicine and general medical practice”, NSOPLB, Sofia 2012 (second edition).
• Dimov R, Dimova R, Doikov I, Levterova B, Stoyanova R. Guide to the behavior of general practitioners in colorectal cancer screening, Plovdiv, VAP, 2012.
• Stoev, T. Can we communicate? Published by ABAGAR, Veliko Tarnovo, 2011.
• Dimova R. in pt. 2.1 and pt. 2.4 of Chapter 10 – Patients with chronic diseases in general medical practice (intramorbid prophylaxis), Ivanov G. Dimitrova D, Introduction to general medicine and general medical practice, Plovdiv, 2010.
• Hristov Z, Hristova D, Dimitrova D, Ivanova N. Occupational stress. In Hygiene, Nutrition, and Occupational Diseases. Textbook for medical students and general practitioners. Edited by B. Popov, Sofia, STENO; 2010: 137-147.
• Hristov J., Papatansiou Y., Hristova D., Konstantinidis T., Dimitrova D., Ivanova N. Stress: Biological, social and management problem. [Bilingual textbook in Greek and Bulgarian]. Published by Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, 2008
Publications
Since the department’s establishment, academic staff have published numerous articles in refereed, indexed international journals. They have also contributed numerous papers and scientific communications to international forums, both domestically and abroad.
Academic staff actively participate in leading national and international organisations and serve as consultants and experts in developing health policy analyses, programs, and management documents.
Selected publications
1. Dimov R, Kostov G, Doykov M, Dimov L, Nonchev B, Dimova R, Hristov B. (2023). Prophylactic Central Neck Lymph Node Dissection Adds No Short-Term Benefit to Total Thyroidectomy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Medicina (Kaunas), 27;59(2):239. doi: 10.3390/medicina59020239. IF (2022): 2.6
2. Shopov D., Stoyanova R., Dimova R. (2023). Satisfaction and motivational determinants of online learning. Bulgarian Journal of Public Health, 15(1):21-9. https://ncpha.government.bg/uploads/pages/3218/1-2023_BG-J-HP.pdf
3. Latev P., Dimova R., Stoyanova R., Keskinova D., Tsigarovski G. (2023). Predictive validity of cardiovascular risk assessment score – a cohort study in Bulgaria. General Medicine, 25 (1), 9-15. https://cml.mu-sofia.bg/bg/spisania/obshta-meditsina/prognostichna-validnost-na-sistemata-score-nrd-kohortno-prouchvane-v-balgaria/
4. Stoyanova R., Shopov D., Dimova R., Bahariev D. (2023). Student satisfaction with the organisation and quality of online learning following the Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology, 24 (4), 1450-1457. https://scibulcom.net/article/ORQAtSuwiULjpKcCzo3t.
5. Semkov D., Atanasov N., Dimova R. (2023). Trends in the development of health expenditure and the choice of a financing system: comparison of Beveridge and Bismarck models. General Medicine, 25 (4), 45-50. https://cml.mu-sofia.bg/en/journals/general-medicine/trends-in-the-development-of-health-expenditure-and-the-choice-of-a-financingsystem-comparison-of-beveridge-and-bismarck-models/
6. DONKA DIMITROVA, ANGEL M. DZHAMBOV, IANA MARKEVYCH, ANGEL BUROV,
MARCO HELBICH, MARK NIEUWENHUIJSEN. Sociodemographic inequalities in residential outdoor nighttime light in urban Bulgaria: An environmental justice analysis. Environmental Research. 2024 (IF = 7,7)
7. DONKA DIMITROVA, ANGEL M. DZHAMBOV, IANA MARKEVYCH, ANGEL BUROV,
MARCO HELBICH, MARK NIEUWENHUIJSEN. Sleep problems mediate the association between outdoor light pollution and symptoms of depression and anxiety: A cross-sectional, multi-city study in Bulgaria. Environmental Research. 2024. (IF = 7,7)
8. DONKA DIMITROVA, NADEZHDA PETROVA, ANGEL M. DZHAMBOV, & 249 CO-
AUTHORS. Exposure and Connectedness to Natural Environments: An Examination of the Measurement Invariance of the Nature Exposure Scale (NES) and Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) Across 65 Nations, 40 Languages, Gender Identities, and Age Groups. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 2024. (IF = 6,1)
9. RALITSA RAYCHEVA, ROSITSA DIMOVA. Application of the bow-tie analysis to improve patient safety–a lesson learned from clinical practice. Folia medica. 2024. (SJR = 0,217)
10. VLADIMIR HODZHEV, VESELA BLAGOEVA, ROSITSA DIMOVA. Predictors of a severe
course and mortality in patients with COVID-19–associated pneumonia. Folia medica. 2024. (SJR = 0,217)
11. RALITSA RAYCHEVA, ROSITSA DIMOVA, ПАВЛИНА ПАВЛОВА. Evaluation of
psychosocial work environment among healthcare professionals in cardiac care units. Folia medica. 2024. (SJR = 0,217)
12. ANASTAS BATALOV, ROSITSA KARALILOVA, VELICHKA POPOVA, ALEKSANDAR
MARINKOV, et al. The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on rheumatic disease patients’ satisfaction with access to medical services. Rheumatol Int. 2024. (IF = 3,2)
13. MARIA ORBETZOVA, DIMITAR TROEV, YORDANKA UZUNOVA, BORYANA LEVTEROVA,
DESISLAV TOMOV, MARIA MITEVA, VALENTINA MIHAYLOVA. Influence of the increase in intestinal permeability and microbiota change in the development of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – Systematic review. Endocrine and Metabolic Science. 2024. (SJR = 0,43)
14. SILVIYA GENOVA, TSVETANA ABADJIEVA, MINA PENCHEVA, NIKOLAY ATANASOV.
Cellular and immune response in fatal COVID-19 pneumonia. Pan African Medical Journal. 2024. (IF = 0,9)
15. MARIN BALTOV, RUMYANA STOYANOVA, KRISTINA KILOVA, STANISLAVA
HARIZANOVA. Burnout and Satisfaction with Work–Life Balance among General Practitioners in Bulgaria during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare. 2024. (IF = 2,8)
16. RUMYANA STOYANOVA. CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF ChatGPT IN PROVIDING NUTRITION-RELATED HEALTH INFORMATION. General Medicine. 2024
17. RUMYANA STOYANOVA, KRIKOR INDJIAN. BODY IMAGE PERCEPTION AND EATING
BEHAVIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL. Bulgarian Journal of Public Health. 2024.
18. RUMYANA STOYANOVA. Predictors of a severe course and mortality in patients with COVID-19–associated pneumonia. Folia Medica. (SJR = 0,217)
19. Dimova R, Raycheva R, Pavlova P. Application of the bow-tie analysis to improve patient safety – a lesson learned from clinical practice. (2024). Folia Med (Plovdiv), 31;66(4):549-554. doi: 10.3897/folmed.66.e129251
20. Blagoeva V, Hodzhev V, Dimova R, Stoyanova R, Bahariev D. (2024). Predictors of a severe course and mortality in patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia. Folia Med (Plovdiv), 29;66(1):59-65. doi: 10.3897/folmed.66.e111124.
21. Pavlova P., Dimova R., Raycheva R. (2024). Associations between psychological dimensions and hospital patient safety culture – a cross-sectional study in clinics and departments of cardiology. General Medicine, 26 (2), 14-21. https://cml.mu-sofia.bg/en/journals/general-medicine/associations-between-psychological-dimensions-and-hospital-patient-safety-culture-a-cross-sectional-study-in-clinics-and-departments-of-cardiology/https://www.istes.org/seeder/books/files/ICRES_2024_final.pdf
22. Stoyanova, R., Shopov, D., Indjian, K., & Dimova, R. (2024). ChatGPT and High School Students’ Eating Habits: Benefits, Risks, and Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study. The Eurasia Proceedings of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics, 27, 130-135. https://doi.org/10.55549/epstem.15184396.
23. R Stoyanova, D Shopov, R Dimova. (2024). Knowledge And Attitude Regarding School-Based Sexual Health Education Programs Among High School Students in Bulgaria: A Cross-Sectional Study. Proceedings of International Conference on Research in Education and Science, 223-230, ISBN: 978-1-952092-63-3, https://www.istes.org/seeder/books/files/ICRES_2024_final.pdf
24. Kilova K, Hadzhieva B, Dimcheva T, Petkova-Dimitrova V, Chepilska S, Stoyanova R, Patients’ attitudes in Bulgaria towards electronic prescriptions and digital solutions. Pharmacia. 2026;73:e190084. IF (2026): 1.1 DOI: 10.3897/pharmacia.73.e190084
25. Stoeva V, Stoyanova R, Petrova G. Observation and Evaluation of Professional Behaviour Among Medical Laboratory Technicians. Journal of IMAB. 2026; 32(2):6822-6828. IF (2026): 0.2 DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2026322.6822
26. Stoeva V, Kondeva V, Stoyanova R. Oral Manifestations of Varicella and Their Contribution to Clinical Assessment in Hospitalized and Outpatient Patients. Life.
2026;16(4):673. IF (2026): 3.4 DOI: 10.3390/life16040673
27. Kondeva V, Stoeva V, Kalchev Y, Stoyanova R. Study on the Importance of Hygienic Hand Disinfection of Dental Practitioners and Students as an Infection Control Measure in Dental Practice. Antibiotics. 2026;15(2):205. IF (2026): 4.6 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics15020205
28. Uzunova S, Stoyanova R, Atanassov M, Kilova K. Attitudes of Healthcare Service Users in Bulgaria Towards the Application of Teleophthalmology in the Case of Glaucoma. Healthcare. 2026;14(2):273. IF (2026): 2.7 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare14020273
29. Blagoeva V, Hodzhev V, Uchikov P, Dobreva-Yatseva B, Stoyanova R. Clinical Course and Mortality Predictors in Adult Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Infection—A Retrospective Cohort Study. Medicina. 2025;61(4):579. IF (2025): 2.4 DOI: 10.3390/medicina61040579
30. Kilova K, Stoyanova R, Harizanova S, Baltov M. Burnout and satisfaction with work–life balance among general practitioners in Bulgaria during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare. 2024;12(10):987. IF (2024): 2.7 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12100987
31. Delkov D, Yoanidu L, Tomov D, Stoyanova R, Dechev I, Uzunova Y. Oncometabolites in urine-a new opportunity for detection and prognosis of the clinical progress of verified prostate cancer-a pilot study. Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences. 2022; 52(3), 699-706. IF (2022): 2.3 DOI: 10.55730/1300-0144.5363
32. Dimova R, Stoyanova R, Tarnovska M, Doykov M, Blagoeva V. Comparative Assessment of the Level of Patient Safety Culture between Surgical and Nonsurgical Units in Bulgarian Hospitals. Healthcare. 2022;10(7):1240. IF (2022): 2.8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071240
33. Dimova R, Stoyanova R, Blagoeva V, Mavrov M, Doykov M. COVID-19 mortality and related comorbidities in hospitalized patients in Bulgaria. Healthcare. 2022;10(8):1535. IF (2022): 2.8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10081535
34. Kondeva V, Stoeva V, Stoyanova R. Assessment of dentists’ knowledge of oral manifestations of Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection: a questionnaire-based survey. Folia Medica. 2026;68(2):e171679. DOI: 10.3897/folmed.68.e171679
35. Kehayov I, Davarski A, Angelova P, Stoyanova R, Kitov B. Intraoperative accuracy of O-arm navigated pedicle screw placement in the thoracic and lumbo-sacral regions of the spine–does localization matter? Folia Medica. 2025;67(6):e167131. DOI: 10.3897/folmed.67.e167131
36. Stoyanova R, Stoyanov A. Evaluating the role of ChatGPT in health information provision: Capabilities, Limitations, and ethical implications. The Eurasia Proceedings of Health, Environment and Life Sciences. 2025;17:39-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55549/ephels.149
37. Stoyanova R, Role of artificial intelligence and robotics in transformation of labor market in nursing profession:a study among bulgarian nurses. Information for Nursing Staff. 2025; 57(3): 30-35. https://cml.mu-sofia.bg/en/journals/information-
for-nursing-staff/role-of-artificial-intelligence-and-robotics-in-transformation-of-labor-market-in-nursing-profession-a-study-among-bulgarian-nurses/
38. Uzunova S, Stoyanova R, Shopov D, Kilova K. Use of chatboat technology in patients with glaucoma. Medical Review (Med. pregled), 2025, 61(4), 14-22. https://cml.mu-sofia.bg/en/journals/medical-review/use-of-chatboat-technology-in-patients-with-glaucoma/
39. Stoyanova R. The impact of artificial intelligence and robotics on the nursing labor market: Transformations, opportunities, and challenges. The Eurasia Proceedings of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics. 2025;33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55549/epstem.1731166
40. Uzunova S, Stoyanova R, Atanasov M, Shopov D, Kilova K. Application of artificial intelligence in glaucoma. Bulgarian medical journal. 2025; 19(3): 41-46. https://cml.mu-sofia.bg/en/journals/bulgarian-medical-journal/application-of-artificial-intelligence-in-glaucoma/
41. Stoyanova R. Students’ Satisfaction with Online Learning in Master’s Programs of Medical University-Plovdiv. Digital Educational Technologies. 2024; 1(2): 92-99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/EHFQ6299
42. Stoyanova R, Petrov G. Capabilities and limitations of ChatGPT in providing nutrition-related health information. General Medicine. 2024;26(6): 9-15. https://cml.mu-sofia.bg/en/journals/general-medicine/capabilities-and-limitations-of-chatgpt-in-providing-nutrition-related-health-information/
43. Swami V., Tran U.S., Stieger S., Aavik T., …, Dimitrova D.D., …. Body appreciation around the world: Measurement invariance of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age. (2023) Body Image, 46,
pp. 449 – 466 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.07.010
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85170109975&doi=10.1016%2fj.bodyim.2023.07.010&partnerID=40&md5=f5e3fd5 88094779f4b5f12f04b029282 (IF =5.4 Q1)
44. Swami V., White M.P., Voracek M., Tran U.S., … Dimitrova D.D., …Exposure and connectedness to natural environments: An examination of the measurement invariance of the Nature Exposure Scale (NES) and Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups (2024) Journal of Environmental Psychology, 99, art. no. 102432 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102432 https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-
85204224528&doi=10.1016%2fj.jenvp.2024.102432&partnerID=40&md5=77708f16 c144aa17371e8ff30d44e0e4 (IF =7.7 Q1)
45. Helbich M., Burov A., Dimitrova D., Markevych I., Nieuwenhuijsen M.J., Dzhambov A.M.Sociodemographic inequalities in residential nighttime light pollution in urban Bulgaria: An environmental justice analysis (2024) Environmental Research, 262, art. no. 119803 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119803
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85201427572&doi=10.1016%2fj.envres.2024.119803&partnerID=40&md5=07e4b3 39070e195f27509b9a5296ca51 (IF =6.1 Q1)
46. Helbich M., Burov A., Dimitrova D., Markevych I., Nieuwenhuijsen M.J., Dzhambov
A.M. Sleep problems mediate the association between outdoor nighttime light and symptoms of depression and anxiety: A cross-sectional, multi-city study in Bulgaria
(2024) Environmental Research, 263, art. no. 119897 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119897 https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-
85205149414&doi=10.1016%2fj.envres.2024.119897&partnerID=40&md5=3961fd0 83942f070d56045d6db44ecec (IF =7.7 Q1)
47. Dzhambov, Angel M; Dimitrova, Donka; (…); Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J. Physical urban environment and cardiometabolic diseases in the five largest Bulgarian cities. 2024-dec-18 International journal of hygiene and environmental health 264 , pp.114512 (IF
=4.5 Q1)
48. Swami V., Stieger S., Voracek M., Aavik T., …Dimitrova D.D., …Life satisfaction around the world: Measurement invariance of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups (2025) PLoS ONE,
20 (1 January), art. no. e0313107 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313107 https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85215985374&doi=10.1371%2fjournal.pone.0313107&partnerID=40&md5=368368 543f1b2df497e3040b6d172eae (IF=2.6 Q2)
49. Dzhambov A.M., Dimitrova D., Burov A., Helbich M., Markevych I., Nieuwenhuijsen
M.J. Physical urban environment and cardiometabolic diseases in the five largest Bulgarian cities (2025) International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 264, art. no. 114512 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114512
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85212348817&doi=10.1016%2fj.ijheh.2024.114512&partnerID=40&md5=392bc15f caf82b370df2de80a5d20712 (IF=4.4 Q1)
50. Dzhambov A.M., Burov A., Hagenauer J., Helbich M., Dimitrova D., Markevych I., Nieuwenhuijsen M.J. Exposure-response relationships between road traffic, railway, and aircraft noise and annoyance in Bulgarian cities (2025) Environmental Research, 269, art. no. 120879 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.120879
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85215396087&doi=10.1016%2fj.envres.2025.120879&partnerID=40&md5=8c7ea1a 8a53fc9e838864afcfc33a3fc (IF=7.7 Q1)
51. Swami V., Tran U.S., Voracek M., … Dimitrova D.D., …Self-Compassion Around the World: Measurement Invariance of the Short Form of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-SF) Across 65 Nations, 40 Languages, Gender Identities, and Age Groups (2025) Mindfulness, 16 (6), pp. 1569 – 1596 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-025-02560-5
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105003258157&doi=10.1007%2fs12671-025-02560-
5&partnerID=40&md5=98fee6c16f999db1a49359818f6f97ff (IF =3.5 Q1)
52. Khomenko S., Burov A., Dzhambov A.M., de Hoogh K., Helbich M., Mijling B., Hlebarov I., Popov I., Dimitrova D., Dimitrova R., Markevych I., Germanova N., Brezov D., Iungman T., Montana F., Chen X., Gehring U., Khreis H., Mueller N., Zapata-Diomedi B., Zhang J., Nieuwenhuijsen M. Health burden and inequities of urban environmental stressors in Sofia, Bulgaria (2025) Environmental Research, 279, art. no. 121782 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121782 https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-
105004418893&doi=10.1016%2fj.envres.2025.121782&partnerID=40&md5=268449
73180a1c010a734c9e11906657 (IF=7.7 Q1)
53. Markevych I., Baumbach C., Helbich M., Burov A., Dimitrova D., Nieuwenhuijsen M.J., Dzhambov A.M.Does nature make us less lonely? Analysis in Bulgaria’s five largest cities (2025) Health and Place, 95, art. no. 103509 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2025.103509 https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105010221700&doi=10.1016%2fj.healthplace.2025.103509&partnerID=40&md5=b d7b75e4660a99f9520b67eb825b277d (IF=4.1 Q1)
54. Dzhambov A.M., Burov A., Markevych I., Kostadinov K.R., Dimitrova D., Helbich M., Nieuwenhuijsen M.J.Environmental characteristics and physical activity: A cross-sectional study in Bulgaria’s five largest cities (2026) International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 275, art. no. 114816 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114816 https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105038218602&doi=10.1016%2fj.ijheh.2026.114816&partnerID=40&md5=d1e1247
2248fca87328f4b9c71a02db0 (IF=4.4 Q1)
55. White M.P., Egger J.A.M., Amato G., …, Dimitrova D., …Testing nature-based biopsychosocial resilience theory: a research programme protocol. (2026) Archives of Public Health, 84 (1), art. no. 90 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-026-01903-5 https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105037531602&doi=10.1186%2fs13690-026-01903-
5&partnerID=40&md5=afa01772b68604656d3929e1dd107af5 (IF=3.2 Q1)
Monographs
Monographs and books
• Culture of safety in healthcare and safe healthcare, R. Dimova, R. Stoyanova, MU Plovdiv, 2020
• Levterova, B. How to measure health. Macros. Plovdiv, 2019;
• Levterova, B. Measuring the quality of life in chronically ill patients. Macros. Plovdiv, 2018.
• Rozsa S., Dimitrova D. Regression and Structural Equation Modeling of Burnout Components in Health Care. New Model of Burnout Syndrome: Towards Early Diagnosis and Prevention. River Publishers, 2014.
• Asenova R., Foreva G., Dimitrova D., Stoyanov D. Burn Out Syndrome Among General Practitioners. New Model of Burnout Syndrome: Towards Early Diagnosis and Prevention. River Publishers, 2014.
• Ivanov L, G Ivanov, D Dimitrova, L Kirov, Zl Petrova et al. White Paper on Value-Based Healthcare. BATMI. Sofia, 2012.
• Stoev T. Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication. Publishing House ABAGAR, Veliko Tarnovo, 2011.
• Dimova R. Measuring and Evaluating the Quality of Medical Care. Plovdiv, VAP, 2011.
• Paunov St. Money – Myth, History, Modernity. Plovdiv, IMN, 2006.
• Paunov St. Intangible Resources and Economic Dynamics. Plovdiv, IMN, 2005.
• Paunov St. Essence and Function of Money. Plovdiv, IMN, 2004.
• Paunov St. Psychology of Economic Behavior, Plovdiv, 2004.
Dissertations
Defended dissertations of doctoral students trained in the department:
• Rositsa Dimova, 2002. The quality of medical care in general medical practice: essence, content, definition, and management.
• Donka Dimitrova, 2008. Access to primary medical care for the population.
• Radost Asenova, 2009. Overweight in children of early school age and preventive activities of general practitioners.
• Neicho Chachevski, 2009. Screening in general medical practice.
• Lyubomir Kirov, 2011. Burnout syndrome in general practitioners in Bulgaria.
• Gergana Foreva, 2011. Palliative care in general medical practice.
• Konstantin Sapundzhiev, 2012. Determinants of the psycho-emotional and health status of doctors working in hospitals.
• Petya Gyoreva, 2014. Risk assessment of psychosocial factors in occupational medicine.
• Henrieta Elkova, 2015. Organizational and management problems of staged inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and their impact on the quality of life of patients with cerebral stroke.
• Nevena Ivanova, 2015. Professional-behavioral and motivational profile of general practitioners.
• Rumyana Stoyanova, 2015. Nurse turnover in the South-Central Region of the Republic of Bulgaria – attitudes, factors and perspectives.
• Boryana Levterova, 2016. Measuring the quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as a component in the management of the chronic disease.
• Pavlina Pavlova, 2025. Study of the psychological climate as a component of the hospital culture for patient safety in cardiology clinics and departments.
• Stanka Uzunova, 2025. Study of attitudes towards the application of telemedicine in ophthalmology – teleglaucoma.
• Dimitar Semkov, 2026. Empirical characteristics and modeling of health expenditure in the Republic of Bulgaria.
Current PhD students in the department:
• Violeta Chuchulska, enrolled 2024. Improving control activities in the expenditure of public resources in healthcare – limitations, trends, and opportunities.
• Stefan Dodevski, enrolled 2024. Young people are a target audience for marketing goods and services in social networks that affect their health.
• Snezina Kirilova, enrolled 2024. Multidisciplinary approach in early diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients in Bulgaria: challenges and innovations in the healthcare system.
• Velina Sabeva, 2025. Systemic approach to ensuring the safety of patients and staff in hospital care facilities.