During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of infections and a need for medical consultations forced the society to implement remote forms of contact with patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the experiences and preferences of patients regarding the doctor-patient relationship. A quantitative study was conducted using the CAWI technique. The study involved 1011 adult patients who were consulted by their family physicians. The patients generally declared unfavorable changes regarding their access to medical services. While comparing the experiences before and during the pandemic, most patients (70.3%) revealed that they had difficulties accessing their family physicians. Many patients (83.1%) preferred a personal visit as a form of consultation. Identification of the constraints relating to the COVID-19 pandemic can contribute to optimizing the health care system, particularly the organization of remote medical consultations. 

Knowledge of primary and secondary colorectal cancer prevention among young people in Poland

Colorectal cancer-specific mortality in Poland exceeds the average for European Union countries. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge about colorectal cancer and primary and secondary prevention. The original questionnaire was used in the study. 184 randomly selected respondents were included in the analysis (mean age 35 years). Only half of respondents knew the correct definition of screening test and only one-third of respondents correctly indicated the target group of Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in Poland. The main source of information about colorectal cancer was internet, rather than physicians and nurses. Lower knowledge of colorectal cancer was reported among respondents from small cities and villages, with less education and unemployed. The knowledge about colorectal cancer prevention is insufficient among polish population. Education seems to be an important part of health promotion, especially among people with low awareness of cancer risk factors and screening test.

Evaluation of the model of environmental treatment of persons with double diagnosis

The study presents the results of the evaluation of the community treatment model Together, we can do more, which is based on the assumptions of community psychiatry. The described model is an example of a form of assistance recommended by WHO for people with serious mental disorders. The evaluation of the treatment model was based on data obtained from therapists and family members of patients with dual psychiatric diagnosis (PDP). Formative evaluation (evaluation of the program implementation process) and summative evaluation (evaluation of results – e.g. in the form of obtained support) were performed. In terms of evaluating the goals and process of the program, the focus was on the size and type of support received by the patient. The outcome evaluation indicator was the assessment of the patient’s functioning in various areas of everyday life, outside the medical system. Self-care, establishing relationships with other people, the ability to use public institutions, mental state, including awareness of addiction/disease have improved. There was also a reduction in the burden on the family with the patient’s mental problems. The evaluation of the environmental treatment model showed significantly longer duration of specialist care than hospitalization. According to the Statistical Yearbook of the Healthcare Institution (2019), the average length of stay in a psychiatric ward in Poland fluctuates around 1 month. In the discussed model, the average duration of participation in the project by a person with PDP was 8 months, with a standard deviation of 5.4.

The data security of medical records – the legal and practical issues

The purpose of this article is to present selected legal provisions regulating the issue of keeping medical records in medical care providers – its scope and principles, as well as to indicate the legal aspects of the security of data aggregated as part of medical records. Specially that medical records are increasingly being kept in digital form. Assuming that the legal conditions in the national legislation are sufficiently defined, the key is- sue is, on the one hand, to indicate the practical conditions for ensuring the optimal (under given conditions) level of computerization of medical care providers and on the other hand – the related level of data security – from the IT point of view. This article, in addition to the conclusions from the analysis of the applicable legislation, presents practical observations related to the application of legal provisions in medical care providers, which are based on the knowledge and professional experience of the author. The point of reference is the assumption that the overriding element of activities for data security, especially about the health of patients, is the awareness of the “key user”, which is always almost every person in the medical facility staff.

The programs for open disclosure of adverse medical events to patients

The aim of this study is to present and compare programs for open disclosure of adverse medical events to patients by medical personnel. Australia, Canada, and the United States, based on apology laws, procedures, medical staff handbooks, training, and fair culture, have implemented solutions that focus on the needs of the patient after the adverse event. It has been proven that a proper patient communication process can reduce the number of claims brought against staff or medical institutions. However, there are barriers to communicating adverse events to patients. These are ingrained in the “deny and defend” strategy, which does not promote a culture of learning from mistakes. The paper also discusses the second victim syndrome, which is the second victim of an adverse event such as medical personnel experiencing emotional damage after an incident.