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Background. The paper deals with the possibilities for implementation of professional competences of physical therapists working in different systems of education and health protection with regard to the holistic health concept, psychophysical education and interdisciplinary collaboration inside rehabilitation teams. Objectives. The main objective of the study was to compare the possibilities for implementation of professional competences of physical therapists working in rehabilitation teams of education and health protection systems. Material and methods. The survey encompassed 200 physical therapists working in the education (n = 98) and health protection (n = 102) systems of Lithuania. A questionnaire-based method employing closed-type questions was used, which was aimed at revealing whether implementation of professional competences of physical therapists working in different systems differed. Results. The competences of communication and collaboration, i.e. interdisciplinary activities inside rehabilitation teams, were more developed by physical therapists working in the education system (t = 23.483, df = 2, p = 0.001). In the process of physical diagnosis, physical therapists of the health system make a diagnosis of physical therapy independently. The same statistically significant difference was also noticed in the aspect of communication of groups of these specialists when psychosocial problems occur, specifically: t = 14.768, df = 3, p = 0.002. Physical therapists of the education system more actively participate in qualification development, delivery of talks at conferences and organising health promotion programmes, even though no statistically significant difference was found (t = 4.830, df = 3, p = 0.185). Conclusions. The competences of interdisciplinary collaboration are more developed by physical therapists working in the education system; whereas physical therapists working in the health system are more concerned with the making of a physical therapy diagnosis, design of a programme and application of more diverse methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The problem of the ageing population has resulted in attitudes towards aging in different age groups becoming a subject of increased academic interest. Objectives. To provide comparative characteristics of the prevalence of manifestations of gerontological ageism among university students in five European countries. Material and methods. The sample consisted of university students (n = 2493) aged 18–25 from Belarus (n = 827), Russia (n = 528), Poland (n = 798), Lithuania (n = 223) and Ukraine (n = 117). The prevalence of gerontological ageism among respondents was evaluated according to the Fraboni Ageism Scale. Results. The prevalence and manifestations of gerontological ageism vary depending on the country. The maximum total indicator, displaying the highest overall level of ageism, was noted among Belarusian students, the minimum – in Lithuania (p < 0.05). The final indicators of gerontological ageism were found to be the following: the level of age discrimination and negative emotional attitude towards the elderly was increased in one fifth of the respondents in all five groups. The observation found the level of ageism averaging at 60%, evenly distributed in all groups. The predominant attitudes towards older people were found to be neutral or positive (84.6%). Conclusions. The manifestations of ageism are international in nature and can explain 20% of the total variety of answers characterising the differences in ranked attributes and degree of ageism. The total indicator showed the highest degree of gerontological ageism among students in Belarus, the lowest – among those in Lithuania, with levels of gerontological ageism among students in Russia, Poland and Ukraine distributed in between. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Population aging is a challenge for social policy and medical care. The problem of ageism – discrimination of a person by age – is closely connected with the phenomenon of the aging of society. Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the views of 60+ respondents about medical care and the possible manifestations of ageism in healthcare institutions in four countries for developing recommendations for the formation of “good practices” for older people and a worthy attitude towards them. Material and methods. An anonymous survey was conducted on 478 people (who gave informed consent to participate in the study) aged 60+: in Belarus – 139, Poland – 110, Russia – 123, Lithuania – 106. Opinions about medical care and manifestations of ageism were assessed using a questionnaire by Kropińska entitled “Studying the phenomenon of age discrimination in older people”. Results. The opinion of the majority of respondents about medical care in their country of residence was found to be satisfactory. Manifestations of ageism in healthcare institutions, according to respondents, range from 20.9% to 43.0%. Conclusions. In the analysed groups of respondents in four countries, the provision of medical care is assessed positively. The high level of manifestation of ageism in healthcare institutions is a problem, which indicates the need to reduce the risks of its occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Suboptimal health status (SHS) is recognised as a subclinical, reversible stage of a chronic disease. Previous studies have proposed that SHS may be related to poor lifestyle factors, as well as work-related and study-related stress. Objectives. The present study was designed to assess the relationship between health status, general distress and job-related risk factors. Material and methods. A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 606 current workers in Klaipeda, Lithuania, who had no history of clinically diagnosed disease. The SHS score was derived from SHSQ-25; the General Symptom Distress Scale (GSDS ) was used for distress evaluation. Results. 90% (547) of respondents revealed an optimal health level. The main domains of SHS status were fatigue and mental status. SHS was related to cardiovascular, digestive and musculoskeletal symptoms, as well as to frequent infections and allergy. SHS was more prevalent in women. The overall health status depends on the following job-related risk factors: the professional potential to grow, rest, deadlines, competition, work experience, income, etc. Conclusions. Health status was related to distress and mainly manifested itself through fatigue, anxiety and sleep disturbances. Resting hours, professional potential to grow, risk in another person's life and work in public have a significant influence on SHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]