The prevention procedures were the central topic discussed by experts at the scientific workshop held on 26 October 2018 at the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic. At the same time the organisers presented the project The development of new and innovative procedures for the performance of prevention and their introduction into medical practice.
The prevention is understood as specific population and individual interventions at primary and secondary levels, early detection, aimed at minimising disease burden and associated risk factors. Primary prevention concerns disease prevention activities, this may include activities to improve health by changing the impact of social and economic factors on health, providing information on health risks of behaviour and healthcare, consulting and measures at personal and community level, food supplements, education and clinical prevention services such as immunisation and vaccination of children, adults and the elderly, as well as vaccination or post-exposure prophylaxis of people, stated the guarantor of the national project of standard diagnostic and therapeutic procedures Jozef Šuvada.
Experts discussed standard and recommended procedures for prevention in the areas of infectious, oncology, cardiovascular, endocrine and metabolic, neurodegenerative, psychiatric and pulmonary diseases. Effective screening programmes, their implementation, maintenance, evaluation and management were also an important topic of the workshop. Professor Ladislav Dušek, from the Czech Republic, highlighted the need to connect exteriors at different levels, both academic and public policy makers and data managers. In order to promote disease prevention in oncology, it is necessary to establish national registers and promote international cooperation.
The implementation of standard disease prevention processes, recommended prevention procedures, the evaluation of the quality of programmes and the introduction of minimum requirements for improving health care professionals' education are essential for strengthening knowledge, responsibility and quality management tools in the implementation of national prevention programmes. said Professor Daniel West of Scranton University in Pennsylvania.
Representatives of the Slovak Psychiatry MUDr also defined community psychiatry as an important area in prevention in Slovakia. Izaková and MUDr. Breznoščáková, Chair of the Working Party on Standard Procedures. The innovative screening programme in Slovakia will be implemented gradually from next year. It will start with phase 1 – screening for colon cancer on a sample of 20,000 people. It will cover the population over 50 years of age. It will be a screening test for hidden bleeding in the stool, with health insurance companies actively inviting people to these screenings. Today, screening only works on a voluntary basis. The intention of MZ SR is to achieve at least 50% participation (today it is only 30%). A screening programme for breast cancer for women over the age of 40 and subsequently a screening programme for cervical cancer for women over the age of 23 will be initiated as a next step.