The higher prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle activities among Roma seem to contribute to these inequalities in cardiovascular diseases morbidity and mortality in comparison with the majority population.

Health literacy (HL) is a key concept for interventions that aim at improving the health of individuals and populations, but it is also a way to improve the health care system, especially in the field of interaction between healthcare providers and patients. The aim of the study was to determine the level of health literacy among students of medical faculties. Methods: A cross-sectional study was realized at three faculties of medicine in the academic year 2015/2016. In the study there were 390 students of medicine (male 41.5%, Slovak students 50.1%) with an average age of 23 (SD = 3). We administered the health literacy questionnaire (HLQ) with items including school characteristics and health status. We tested associations between HL and sex, year of study, study and health status with Pearson χ 2 test in statistical program SPSS 21.0 Results: The surveyed students more often had an optimal HL, with deficiencies in the appraisal of health information and the ability to actively cooperate with healthcare (HC) providers. Women more often had the deficiency of HL in cooperation with HC providers and navigation in the HC system. Students of the first to third grade of study had a more frequent deficiency of HL in information to manage health and understanding the health information (compared with higher year of study). Foreign students more often had an optimal level of HL in social support in health, cooperation with HC providers and in navigating the HC system. Health respondents more often had a deficiency of HL in understanding health information when compared to students who had a chronic disease/health complications. Conclusion: We found that students of medical faculties demonstrate a lack of HL, which is mainly related to the ability to cooperate with HC providers, to assess and understand health information, but also to navigate the HC system. On the basis of our findings, we will be able to develop an appropriate intervention to improve HL in a targeted group of medical faculty students.

The aim of this study was to explore possible associations between social and socioeconomic status and ongoing treatment among patients with head and neck cancer.Material and methodsData from 159 examined patients treated with head and neck cancer during the period from 2011 to 2012 were explored. A logistic regression analysis was used to assess association of social status (living with somebody vs. living alone), socioeconomic status (employed vs. unemployed) and education (primary/secondary/university) with treatment.ResultsThe results from logistic regression showed significant association of employment status and education with both interruption in radiochemotherapy and searching for additional help after surgery. Interruption of radiochemotherapy was almost 3 times more likely in a group of unemployed compared to the employed patients. Lack of searching for help after surgery was almost 4 times more likely in a group of unemployed compared to the employed and 5 times more likely in the group with the lowest education compared with the group with the highest education.ConclusionsThe study suggests that special attention needs to be paid, not only during but also after treatment, to the patients from low socioeconomic groups.

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Objective: Effective practice is increasingly seen as a critical dimension of the professional development of healthcare professionals. Reducing the number of punctures when placing an intravenous (I.V.) cannula reduces pain and further suffering for the patient. At the same time, the proper technique of I.V. cannulas save time for healthcare providers. Background: The method of securing venous access by intravenous cannula is part of the teaching of medical and nursing study programs. Critical thinking is the basic skill necessary to assess any information, explain the causes and the ability to solve problems. University education develops this skill through strategic teaching of simulation methods. Methods: In connection with new information of the method of I.V. cannulas by “magic movement”, we decided to use the Core model for critical reflection designed by Cottrell (2010), to evaluate new techniques in preclinical education of students from general medicine and nursing on I.V. cannulation in simulation laboratories. Results: The results have shown that student performance levels will be increased by applying critical thinking and simulation as an option for integrated pre-clinical training for future healthcare professionals. Conclusion: Innovative method of introducing peripheral I.V. cannula provides a framework to guide curriculum development and teaching strategies as well as to support the advance of cognitive and empirical skills of healthcare professionals. A new technique for applying “magic movement” of I.V. cannula we innovate the curriculum of basic nursing practices while contributing to the development of evidence-based practice.Key words: Intravenous catheter, Innovative method “magic movement”, Critical thinking, Simulation laboratories.