Analysis of periodic health examinations in the adult Polish community: preliminary results
Analysis of periodic health examinations in the adult Polish community: preliminary results

Summary/Abstract: Background: Periodic health examinations for adult persons are one of the basic components of the pilot studyof coordinated health care in primary health care in Poland. It was recommended as the result of the project“Preparation, testing and implementation of the organization of coordinated care to the health care system(CC O)” (EU project – Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development).Aim of the study: To assess the preliminary clinical results and resource use of pilot periodic health examinationsin adults as a tool for performing prevention tasks in coordinated health care Polish PHC entity.Material and methods: Periodic health examinations were performed in 13 PHC outpatient clinics (3 urban and10 rural areas) by PHC teams comprised of 22 PHC physicians, eight nurses, seven medical receptionists, and onenutritionist. Enrollment included 122 patients (median age of 45, range: 18–65). The examinations were performedaccording to the questionnaire, which includes 135 patient variables: personal data, detailed patient interview,anthropometric measurements, physical examination, diagnostic results, conclusions, and patient health status.Results: For this study, 71 women (58%) and 51 men (42%) were participants. As a result of the periodic healthexaminations, the following diagnoses were observed: one cholelithiasis case (2.4%), 36 incidences of hypercholesterolemia(85.7%), one case of diabetes mellitus type 2 (2.4%), one patient with hypothyroidism (2.4%; TSH 17.78),and three incidences of nephrolithiasis (7.1%). Increased risk of cardiovascular disease was found in six patients.Oncological diagnostics was advised to three patients. A risk of depression was observed in 12 patients. A strongaddiction to nicotine was seen in four patients while an increased alcohol addiction risk was found in 19 patients.Conclusions: Periodic health examinations in adults as a preventive measure might be useful and feasible forPHC teams in centers with basic health care coordination. However, the proposed periodic health examinationsprogram requires further investigation in various populations and in entities with different levels of healthcare coordination.

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