Lapco International continues to expand its global reach in Bulgaria through a phased Train the Trainer (TT) programme, combining online education with face-to-face delivery to build sustainable local training capacity.
Three months ago, Lapco delivered the Lapco International Methodology online to six Bulgarian delegates, completing the first phase of the programme and establishing strong foundations in structured teaching, communication, assessment, and feedback. This online phase was designed to support busy clinicians while embedding consistent, evidence-based educational principles.
Last week, Lapco joined the Medical University of Pleven for the second Train the Trainer stage, transitioning learning into in-person delivery. This phase focused on supporting local trainers to bring the Lapco approach into everyday teaching, delivered in Bulgarian, for their own students.
From methodology to daily practice
A highlight of the visit was working with over 20 first-year students, using interactive methods such as Human Scrabble to explore communication, teamwork, and situational awareness. The session reinforced that, just like in surgery, effective collaboration is not always straightforward—particularly if you happen to be the letter Q without a U nearby.
By supporting trainers at university level, Lapco helps strengthen the foundations of surgical education, translating better teaching into safer clinical practice and improved patient outcomes.
Delegate feedback
Reflecting on the programme, Slavcho Tomov commented:
“Participating in the Lapco Train the Trainer programme was an exceptional experience. The course provided a clear, structured approach to surgical teaching that I can immediately apply in practice. The focus on communication, assessment, and feedback was particularly valuable. I feel far more confident and prepared to train others in minimally invasive surgery. This programme is a game changer for surgical education in Bulgaria.”
Slavcho Tomov, President of the Bulgarian Association of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery
We are grateful for the warm welcome from the local team – particularly Velina Dukova and extend special thanks to Dobromir Dimitrov, and delegates Martin Karamanliev, Polina Marinova, Georgi Prandzhev, and Teodora Semova for their commitment and enthusiasm.
Looking ahead
This blended approach (online foundations followed by face-to-face delivery) creates a scalable and sustainable pathway for developing local faculty and embedding high-quality surgical training where it matters most.
Who’s next? If your university or hospital could benefit from a proven, evidence-based approach to surgical education, we’d love to start the conversation.