A New Medical Profession in Poland. A Major Change in Healthcare

• The preventive specialist analyses health and social data, identifies threats and diagnoses key health problems of the population.
• Develops and implements prevention and health promotion programs, ensuring their effectiveness and ongoing monitoring
• Organizes screening tests, vaccinations and provides health services as part of preventive care
• Educates patients about risk factors and ways to minimize their impact on health

From June 2025, a new regulation will come into force regulating the scope of professional activities of a health prophylactic . According to the regulations, a prophylactic will become one of the key specialists in the health care system, responsible for comprehensive activities related to prevention and promotion of public health. The new regulations introduce clearly defined standards of conduct and emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of this profession.

The prophylactician is now responsible for a full assessment of the social health status – taking into account demographic, social and economic factors. He uses modern methods of collecting and analyzing epidemiological data.

What exactly will the prophylactician do – detailed tasks:

• analyze health trends, identify and assess risk factors,
• plan interventions (taking into account costs, effectiveness, large-scale action),
• develop educational materials – brochures, presentations, workshops,
• cooperate with state entities, local governments, NGOs, education, sports and employers,
• detect barriers in health education and select effective forms of communication (campaigns, training, media),
• monitor, evaluate and report the effects of prevention programs.

The prevention specialist builds effective programs by taking into account:

• clearly defined goals (general and specific),
• measurable performance indicators,
• analysis of the target group (age, region, needs),
• schedule of activities and budgeting,
• monitoring and evaluation system during implementation,
• providing financing and substantive support,
• reporting results and recommendations to health decision makers.

The preventive care specialist coordinates:

• screening tests, vaccinations, diagnostic tests at a basic level,
• education about lifestyle, risk factors (e.g. lifestyle, diet, activity),
• mental and emotional support as part of preventive measures,

The introduction of the principles of work of preventive workers brings real benefits to society , ensuring a wider range of preventive activities thanks to more effective cooperation with local governments and non-governmental organizations.

Precisely planned health interventions can effectively reduce disease incidence, and reliable health education makes prevention a credible source of knowledge for society.

Constant analysis and elimination of communication barriers enables better reaching of groups requiring special support, and full transparency of programs, supported by data, reports and analyses of effects, builds public trust and transparency of activities in healthcare.

The regulation on a detailed list of professional activities of persons performing certain medical professions entered into force on 14 June.

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