The development and widespread use of ICT in society are reflected by the way research is designed and conducted. The Computer Assisted Web Interview method is becoming more attractive and is a frequently used method in health sciences. The National Study of ICT Use in Primary Healthcare in Poland was conducted using this method. The aim of this paper is to present the major advantages and disadvantages of web surveys. Technical aspects of methodology and important stages of the aforementioned study, as well as key elements for its procedure, are mentioned. The authors also provide reflections based on their analysis of this national study, conducted between January and April 2014.
The purpose of this study was to show that some elements have a proven antioxidative effect and are essential for the proper development and functioning of the human body. The study also assessed the concentration of selected elements and total antioxidant status (TAS) in a group of male inhabitants of Białystok, Poland, who are professionally active in the metal industry. The study group comprised 163 men aged 55–64 years. The concentration of the analyzed elements was determined using flame (Zn and Cu) and electrothermal (Se, Cd, and Pb) atomic absorption spectrometry. Spectrophotometric test kits were used to assay the TAS and glutathione reductase (GR) activity in serum. The results suggested the mean concentration of Se in serum was 54.04 ± 12.10 μg/L, which was below the reference range. A significant negative correlation was observed between the concentration of Se in the serum and Pb and Cd concentrations in the whole blood of the studied men. The concentrations of the other elements, antioxidant potential, and GR activity were within the reference range. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between Pb and Cd, indicating combined exposure and a considerable negative correlation between lead and selenium as well as between lead and TAS. Selenium and TAS are likely to modify the adverse effects of Pb in the bodies of the studied men. The results indicate that it is necessary to constantly monitor men who are occupationally exposed to heavy metals, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and introduce effective preventive measures at a local level.
INTRODUCTION: Financial liquidity management in hospitals is of great importance in ensuring access to medical care and continuity of health care service provision. It is one of the management’s biggest challenges, which the possibility to conduct health care activity depends on. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the financial liquidity of public hospitals, based on the example of public hospitals in Podlaskie Voivodeship in years 2013-2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Revenues, expenses and financial performance levels were analysed and financial liquidity was evaluated with reference to current and quick ratios. Public hospitals, whose founding entity is the Podlaskie Voivodeship Self-government, were selected for the study. The assessment of the financial situation was based on the data from the hospitals’ financial statements for years 2013-2017. The assessment was made with a special reference to financial liquidity. RESULTS: In years 2013-2017, a steady increase of revenues and expenses was observed in the case-study hospitals. The general financial performance of these entities improved significantly. During the assessment period, the current ratio in the hospitals was average, exceeding the optimal value. In the first hospital group (number of beds>250), the current ratio was below the optimal values (except for 2016). The second hospital group (number of beds<250) was characterised by liquidity ratios above the optimal value. CONCLUSIONS: Management of financial liquidity in hospitals, aimed at maintaining financial liquidity at optimal level, should be the management’s priority action when managing the finances of a health care entity. These actions should be multi-directional and based on information about the financial situation of the hospitals and on the hospital’s ratio analysis, which is vital for the management’s decision making.
Introduction and objective.Measuring the level of patient satisfaction is a useful tool in delivering quality care that is responsive to consumer preferences. Various socio-demographic factors might be considered as potential predictors of patient satisfaction. The aim of the study was to assess whether place of residence (rural/urban) affects patient satisfaction with hospital health care. Materials and method. Data were obtained using face-to-face questionnaire, administered in five large, urban hospitals in Podlaskie Province, north-eastern Poland, during 2014-2018. The study sample comprised of 1,624 participants (585 rural, 1039 urban) who assessed satisfaction with 28 hospital health care items. The means and standard deviations were presented to compare 28 satisfaction items between the rural and the urban samples. Regression analysis was used to determine whether location difference (rural vs urban) affected patient satisfaction with various domains of hospital health care. Results. The mean results of 28 satisfaction items on the 1-5 scale were similar among the rural and the urban samples, and generally skewed towards positive experiences. In the univariate analysis, significant associations between place of residence and patient satisfaction were identified with regard to three components of inpatient care: 1) hospital settings and staff care, 2) doctors' professional skills, and 3) hospitalization outcomes. After adjusting for socio-demographic variables, the association remained significant only with respect to satisfaction with hospitalization outcomes (b = 0.121; SE = 0.055; p = 0.028). Conclusions. Some evidence for differences in patient satisfaction by place of residence was found. Study findings may be helpful in implementing care quality improvement programmes.
Background/Aims: The study was carried out to evaluate the changes in the eating habits and lipid parameters in a 21-year follow-up on a group of 435 men living in Poland. Methods: The studied population was composed of the same subjects: a group of men who were first studied in the years 1987–1989 and in 2008–2010. The following data was gathered: body mass, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride concentration in blood serum. Results: The changes in the eating habits among the studied men registered throughout the 21-year period were positive since they showed a reduction in the caloric content of their diet (p < 0.001), lower total fat content (p < 0.001), total amount of carbohydrates (p < 0.001), sucrose (p < 0.001), iron (p < 0.001), and featured more vitamins: A (p < 0.002), B1 (p < 0.001), and C (p < 0.001). An adverse trend was observed in terms of constant calcium shortages in their food portions (ns). A 21-year follow-up of the studied group showed significant differences in terms of weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), and all cholesterol fractions (p < 0.001) in their blood serum, except cholesterol alone (ns). Conclusion: It is important to continue observing the dietary trends in the studied group, with the focus on the occurrence of potential changes in their bodies.
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