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Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has become the greatest public health challenge worldwide. Soon after the appearance of the virus in 2019, intensive efforts to develop vaccines were initiated, and by late 2020, delivery of vaccines for the targeted population as a campaign had started. Aim: Collect information from European Union countries regarding how and to what extent were family physicians (FPs)/general practitioners (GPs) involved in the vaccination campaigns in 2021 and how these were organized at the national level. Method: A short questionnaire was distributed through the secretariats of WONCA (World Organization of Family Doctors) Europe and the European Forum for Primary Care (EFPC). Results: In most of the countries, participation of FPs/GPs was compulsory. The vaccination was usually centrally organized by governmental authorities. In the beginning, registration (web-based) of patients was required, mainly at the national level. By the middle of 2021, vaccination on a walk-in basis became available in almost every country for the first immunization as well as for the booster injections. The remunerations of GPs/FPs differed; in some countries, no extra payments were offered. The Pfizer vaccine was used in all countries, while in nine countries, non-European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved vaccines were also given in primary care settings and at vaccination centers. In some countries, professional homepages helped the GPs. The involvement of primary health care (PHC) providers did not correlate to the vaccination coverage of the entire population of the respective countries. It was the highest in the more developed countries with higher living standards, where participation of GPs was voluntary and appropriate financial incentives were offered to them. Conclusions: The vaccination campaign was a professional and logistic challenge and an excellent performance of PCH providers. Experiences gained could be used in the future to manage similar pandemic challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim s : Community‐ and school‐based lifestyle interventions are an efficient method of preventing type 2 diabetes in vulnerable populations. Many participants, however, fail to complete the necessary follow‐ups. We investigated factors affecting the continuous participation in follow‐up evaluations during the Feel4Diabetes‐study, a multilevel intervention programme implemented across Europe. Methods: Socioeconomic, sociodemographic and clinical factors were assessed for 2702 participants within six participating countries: Bulgaria and Hungary (low‐to‐middle‐income countries, LMIC), Belgium and Finland (high‐income countries, HIC) and Greece and Spain (high‐income countries under austerity measures, HICAM). Results: Statistically significant differences were detected with respect to sex, control group, education level, employment status, BMI and blood pressure measurements (systolic and diastolic blood pressure). Post hoc analysis revealed significant differences within socioeconomic regions. Higher levels of education were associated with significantly lower attrition in HIC (p < 0.05) and HICAM (p < 0.001), higher employment status was associated with lower attrition in HICAM (p < 0.001) and being female was associated with lower attrition in LMIC (p < 0.001). Surprisingly, the intervention group exhibited higher‐than‐expected attrition in HIC (p < 0.001) and HICAM (p = 0.003), and lower attrition in LMIC (p = 0.007). When tested together in the same multivariable predictive model, all sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables along with higher BMI retained their statistical significance, while systolic and diastolic blood pressure failed to remain significant. Conclusions: Key socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors along with BMI play a significant role in determining continuous participation in follow‐up evaluations during school‐ and community‐based intervention programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The databases of children's anthropometric parameters are often outdated, rarely representative and are not always available at an international level. Objectives: To present children's anthropometric parameters in six European countries that contributed to the Feel4Diabetes project and find country-specific differences. Design/Setting: The Feel4Diabetes study was performed between 2016 and 2018, targeting children in Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Hungary and Spain. The current study presents data from the baseline and the yearly follow-up anthropometric measurements. Subjects: In total, 20,832 measurements of children (48.7% boys) between 6 and 10 years of age were conducted. Main outcome measure: weight, height, BMI. Results: Belgian boys had the lowest body weight and height, while Greek boys had the highest body weight, and Finnish had the highest body height. The highest proportion of overweight (percentile above 85%) and obese boys (percentile above 95%) was in Greece, followed by Hungarian, Spanish, Bulgarian and Finnish boys. In contrast, Belgian boys had the lowest ratio in both categories. Among girls, Greece had the highest; Belgium had the lowest body weight; Finland was the highest in all age categories. The ratio in the overweight range was the highest in Greece, followed by Spanish, Bulgarian and Hungarian girls, who were second in the obese category. Finnish girls had lower and Belgian girls had the lowest ratio in both BMI categories. All the detailed data are presented in tables, and the trends are figures. Conclusions: Our study presents fresh and comparable anthropometric data of children between 6 and 10 years of age in six European countries, supporting the need for appropriate obesity prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with high cardiovascular risk are usually cared for in primary care settings. Assessment of the effectiveness of long-time care was a subject of many European studies in the last two decades. This paper aims to present two Hungarian primary care cross sectional surveys and to compare their results to the primary care arms of the European Action on Secondary and Primary Prevention by Intervention to Reduce Events (EUROASPIRE) III. and IV. studies. Methods: Between 2010 and 2011, 679 patients with high cardiovascular risk were recruited in 20 Hungarian primary care practices and 628 patients were selected in 40 practices between 2015 and 2016. The actual national recommendations were used for classification, all based on European guidelines. Achievements of target levels for blood pressure, total-, LDL-and HDL-cholesterols, triglyceride, and HbA1c (in diabetics) were recorded and analyzed. Further cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking, BMI, waist-circumference were also evaluated. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in the management of blood-pressure and plasma LDL-cholesterol levels among high risk patients, while there was no change in the plasma triglyceride values. The effectiveness of diabetes care deteriorated. In international relation, the management of blood pressure and plasma LDL-cholesterol values were better in Hungary when compared to the results of EUROASPIRE III-IV. studies, while the previous advantage in diabetes care disappeared. A higher proportion of diabetic patients was above the target values in Hungary than the means of the European surveys. There was a higher proportion of smokers in the Hungarian samples, while the proportion of obese and overweight patients was similar to the European sample. Conclusions: Primary care has a unique role in cardiovascular prevention. Although many of the patients are managed appropriately, there is a need to improve primary care services in Hungary, giving more competences to GPs in prescription and introducing structural changes in the healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aims: Most patients with Helicobacter pylori infection are consulted for the first time by family physicians. We aimed to survey the adherence to the newest guidelines of the management of H. pylori infection in the primary and secondary care settings in Hungary. Methods: From a total of 793 physicians, 94 trainees in family medicine, 334 family physicians without and 195 with board certification in internal medicine, 87 internists, 78 family paediatricians were invited to take part in the study. Diagnostic and therapeutic attitudes towards H. pylori infection were compared by a voluntary and anonymous questionnaire. Results: Participants test for H. pylori infection in 92.8% of cases with a family history of peptic ulcer or 76.9% of gastric cancer, 68.9% of dyspepsia and 49.9% of non-specific abdominal complaints, before initiation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID; 17.3%) and antiplatelet treatment (14.5%), respectively. They confirm the success of eradication therapy in 88.1% mainly by urea breath test. Most of them initiate eradication therapy by themselves and only 22.4% refer their patients to a gastroenterologist. Clarithromycin-based standard triple therapy is the most preferred (62.1%) and only 3.7% choose quadruple combination with bismuth as first-line and 48.1% as second-line therapy. We found significant differences between groups with respect to the physicians' own infection, localization of practice, and sources of information on H. pylori infection. Internists are more likely to clarify H. pylori status before the initiation of NSAID and antiplatelet therapies, initiate second-line therapies and use bismuth compared to the other groups. Family physicians with board certification in internal medicine are also prone to start eradication therapy and less prone to refer patients to a gastroenterologist. Family paediatricians prefer stool antigen determination, screen family members and prefer gastroenterologist consultation more often, and use bismuth less frequently than the other groups. Family physicians with previous infection check for H. pyloriinfection more frequently before the initiation of NSAID treatment and are more likely to use histology to detect H. pylori. Postgraduate trainings were the most popular source of information. Conclusion: The adherence to the recent recommendations of current guidelines is moderate. There is a need to increase adherence to current recommendations by family physicians and internists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Within the frame of National Epidemiological Surveillance System, family physicians have an obligation to report infections and suspicions cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, daily practice and the reporting activities of Hungarian family physicians regarding to infectious diseases.Methods: A self-administered survey was developed, validated and used. The survey was completed by family physicians who had taken part in continuous medical educational programmes of all Hungarian medical faculties. The questionnaire, consisting demographic questions and 10 statements about their reporting habits were completed by 347 doctors, 8% of the total number of family physicians. The data were processed in a cross-sectional design with general linear model.Results: According to the majority of responders, the current reporting system works efficiently. Rural physicians were mainly agreed, that reporting is not a simply obligation, it is a professional task as well. They were less hindered in daily work by reporting activities, waited less for laboratory confirmation before reporting, reported suspicious cases more frequently. Practitioner's based in urban settlements preferred to await laboratory tests before reporting and were hindered less by failures of the electronic reporting system. Older physicians trusted more in the recent system and they wished to increase the number of reports. Female physicians have higher consciousness in epidemiology. They were mostly in agreement that even severe infectious diseases can be diagnosed at primary care level and their daily practices were less burdened by reporting duties.Conclusions: Both the epidemiological knowledge of general practitioners' and the electronic surveillance systems should be improved. There is a need to develope the electronic infrastructure of primary care. More and regular control is also expected by the health care authorities, beside the synthesis of professional and governmental expectations and regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are few studies from East and Central European countries on health-status, lifestyle and social circumstances of medical professionals. We evaluated data of a cohort of physicians who had graduated 30 years ago in Hungary and compared the data of their professional carrier, life style, health outcomes, and medical specialties. Questionnaires compiled by an expert group and filled in by 208 physicians (83 men and 125 women) were analysed. Men mostly work as surgeons, women were mostly employed as primary care specialists. Women changed their specialty and/or place of work more often than men. Male primary care physicians had more children than women and others specialists. At graduation, most of them had a normal BMI. Since then, a significant increase in weight and BMI was observed in both genders and across all specialty groups. The largest increase in body weight and BMI (mean 5.27) was recorded among female primary care physicians. Recorded physical activity was low in general, with male primary care specialists being most active and female primary care physicians the least. Female doctors in surgical specialties had longer resting time. Male physicians rarely participated in regular health screenings. The incidence of hypertension was higher than the Hungarian national average for that age. About 5% of primary care physicians identified themselves as regular smokers. Abstinence and regular daily alcohol consumption were reported in equal ratio. Burn-out symptoms were rarely experienced. This generation had started its medical profession before the significant progressive changes in the medicine occurred in the last decades. While physicians do not always follow their own professional advices, their lifestyle proved a little bit healthier than that of the population at large, especially for women and their health outcomes, except hypertension, were also better. In general, they were not satisfied with the financial and working conditions of the recent Hungarian healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Hungary, the last wide-range evaluation about nutritional status of the population was completed in 1988. Since then, only limited data were available. Our aim was to collect, analyze and present updated prevalence data. Methods: Anthropometric, educational and morbidity data of persons above 18 y were registered in all geographical regions of Hungary, at primary care encounters and within community settings. Results: Data (BMI, waist circumference, educational level) of 40,331 individuals (16,544 men, 23,787 women) were analyzed. Overall prevalence for overweight was 40.4% among men, 31.3% among women, while for obesity 32.0% and 31.5%, respectively. Abdominal obesity was 37.1% in males, 60.9% in females. Among men, the prevalence of overweight-obesity was: under 35 y = 32.5%-16.2%, between 35-60 y = 40.6%-34.7%, over 60 y = 44.3%-36.7%. Among women, in the same age categories were: 17.8%-13.8%, 29.7%-29.0%, and 36.9%-39.0%. Data were presented according to age by decades as well. The highest odds ratio of overweight (OR: 1.079; 95% CI [1.026-1.135]) was registered by middle educational level, the lowest odds ratio of obesity (OR: 0.500; 95% CI [0.463-0.539]) by the highest educational level. The highest proportion of obese people lived in villages (35.4%) and in Budapest (28.9%). Distribution of overweighed persons were: Budapest (37.1%), other cities (35.8%), villages (33.8%). Registered metabolic morbidities were strongly correlated with BMIs and both were inversely related to the level of urbanization. Over the previous decades, there has been a shift in the distribution of population toward being overweight and moreover obese, it was most prominent among males, mainly in younger generation. Conclusions: Evaluation covered 0.53% of the total population over 18 y and could be very close to the proper national representativeness. The threat of obesity and related morbidities require higher public awareness and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity, a threatening pandemic, has an important public health implication. Before proper medication is available, primary care providers will have a distinguished role in prevention and management. Their performance may be influenced by many factors but their personal motivation is still an under-researched area. Method The knowledge, attitudes and practice were reviewed in this questionnaire study involving a representative sample of 10% of all Hungarian family physicians. In different settings, 521 practitioners (448 GPs and 73 residents/vocational trainees) were questioned using a validated questionnaire. Results The knowledge about multimorbidity, a main consequence of obesity, was balanced. Only 51% of the GPs were aware of the diagnostic threshold for obesity; awareness being higher in cities (60%) and the highest among residents (90%). They also considered obesity an illness rather than an aesthetic issue. There were wider differences regarding attitudes and practice, influenced by the doctors' age, gender, known BMI, previous qualification, less by working location. GPs with qualification in family medicine alone considered obesity management as higher professional satisfaction, compared to physicians who had previously other board qualification (77%vs68%). They measured their patients' waist circumference and waist/hip ratio (72%vs62%) more frequently, provided the obese with dietary advice more often, while this service was less frequent among capital-based doctors who accepted the self-reported body weight dates by patients more frequently / commonly. Similar reduced activity and weight-measurement in outdoor clothing were more typical among older doctors. Diagnosis based on BMI alone was the highest in cities (85%). Consultations were significantly shorter in practices with a higher number of enrolled patients and were longer by female providers who consulted longer with patients about the suspected causes of developing obesity (65%vs44%) and offered dietary records for patients significantly more frequently (65%vs52%). Most of the younger doctors agreed that obesity management was a primary care issue. Doctors in the normal BMI range were unanimous that they should be a model for their patients (94%vs81%). Conclusion More education of primary care physicians, available practical guidelines and higher community involvement are needed to improve the obesity management in Hungary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treatment and care of elderly patients with diabetes and hypertension means a hard task in primary care. Patients with these two components of metabolic syndrome are often overweight or obese. Although some parameters of metabolic syndrome are usually measured in a medical setting, checking body weight is usually done by the patients. Aim: The aim of this study is to analyse the patients' self-recorded data on weight and compare them according to hypertension and diabetes. Patients and Methods: Five hundred and forty people (225 men and 315 women) between 60 and 75 years of age were eventually selected in primary care settings. Retrospective self-recorded data on recent weights and every decade since the age of 20, as well as the decade prior to diagnosis were collected. The data of patients with and without diabetes and/or hypertension were compared. Results: The current mean body weight was significantly higher in all groups than at the age of 20. Compared with the control group, hypertensive men and women were approximately of the same weight in their twenties and, also, recently, but they gained more weight in the 4th and 5th decades of their life. Diabetics started at higher weights. The greatest weight gain was observed as follows: between 20-30 years and 30-40 years in men and women, respectively, as well as between 50-60 years of age and in the last decade prior to diagnosis in both genders. Weight gain in the control group was steady at a lower rate. Conclusions: Weight gain between 20-40 years of age could be an important factor in the aetiology of diabetes. Stable or at least limited weight gain may be a preventive factor. Considering the limitations of the study, further and decades long epidemiological evaluations are suggested in a larger study population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, motivation, and attitudes of Hungarian family physicians toward pandemic influenza vaccination in the 2009/10 influenza season. Method: A questionnaire with 20 questions was developed and sent to 232 family physicians in 3 largest Hungarian cities: Budapest, Debrecen, and Miskolc. The study was conducted in December 2009 and January 2010. Results: A hundred and ninety eight (85%) physicians answered the questionnaire adequately. Respondents believed that the influenza outbreak represented less of a threat to their practices than to Hungary or the world as a whole. They mostly agreed that vaccination was important and were frequently dissatisfied with the support from health authorities. The proportion of vaccinated patients ranged between 2% and 53%, without differences according to geographical region, age, sex, and duration of physicians’ employment in family practice. Physicians who were satisfied with the payment for procedures and underwent vaccination themselves were more active in vaccination. Conclusion: Health authorities should provide clear and evidence-based professional support to family physicians and should encourage them to get vaccinated against pandemic influenza, while insurance funds have to establish appropriate reimbursement system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although nutritional advice and counseling are an important part of diabetes care, current Hungarian health care regulations make it available only in the secondary (specialist) care. Authors planned and implemented a self-financed nutritional counseling in primary care setting. For 67 of 108 diagnosed diabetic patients of a primary care practice in Budapest, a free of charge educational service was offered. The 47 patients (45 type 2 and 2 type 1) who accepted the invitation were educated in two consecutive group sessions. Only 24 of them were ready to take part in three further individual consultations. Fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin were measured before and after the sessions and 1 year later. Comparison was made between genders (31 men, 16 women) and patients who took part in the group and the individual nutritional counseling, respectively. Patients with a higher educational level, males and persons with shorter duration of diabetes were more likely to participate in the consultation. All glycemic parameters improved after counseling in both groups, but this was significant only in men and for the group consultation. After 1 year, a further improvement was seen in women and in patients of the individually counseled group. In turn, fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin concentrations of men and group-consulted patients increased again, reaching almost the baseline level before consultations. Nutritional counseling in the primary care offers more comfort and help for diabetics but requires changes in insurance regulation, and reimbursement system together with increase in resources. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many differences exist between the two genders, i.e., biological, sociological, and also behavioral, which often depend on age. Objectives: The aim of this study was to find characteristic differences between nutritional habits of elderly men and women. Methods: 266 elderly people (109 men >65 years, and 157 women >60 years) were consecutively selected from primary care patients, in Budapest, Hungary. A self-managed questionnaire was filled in on lifestyle and eating habits, including a food frequency questionnaire. Medical check-up, registration of anthropometrical parameters, and laboratory tests were also performed. 53 subjects were also involved in a 3-day dietary recall. Results: The meal frequency was increased during aging in both genders, especially in men. Lunch was preferred by most of the women as a principal meal, but one quarter of the men had a filling dinner instead of lunch. Alcoholic beverages were consumed more and frequently by men. The fluid intake was low, especially in women. Milk and diary products, fresh fruit, bread, biscuits, chocolate, coffee and vitamin supplements were consumed more frequently by women. Almost all types of meat, eggs, and vegetables were more preferred by men and their energy intake was also higher (9.75 vs. 8.78 MJ). In both genders, fat represented a higher ratio (39%) of energy intake than recommended. The increase of body weight from youth to elderly was greater in women (14.04 vs. 10.65 kg). Prices had a higher impact on food purchases by women. Conclusion: High energy intake over decades led to overweight in both genders (BMI >27 kg/m2). It seemed that the eating habits and food choices of women were closer to healthy ones and recent recommendations, although due to metabolic reasons and to the lower energy expenditure, they gained more weight. The elderly are the target population on every level of medical care. Further evaluations are needed to determine the differences in nutrition and to promote better administration of drugs and to establish public health suggestions. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the community health oriented services provided in the framework of general practitioners' (GPs) clusters in Europe. These services include health promotion activities in community settings, health status assessments, and chronic medical care. It suggests the need for the Swiss Contribution Programme to demonstrate that the cluster is an effective primary care model in which an implementation of evidence-based preventive actions will contribute to the delivery of outcomes.

The article describes a study which evaluated the sexual activity of men in Hungary. The study involves a male population that was examined and questioned in a medical setting. Patients selected were those presenting for urological or andrological consultations. One criterion examined was active sexual life with a steady female partner. Data on sexual activity are presented.

The aim of the present study was two-fold: Firstly, to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress among international students at a Hungarian university two years after the COVID-19 outbreak; and secondly, to identify its demographic and socioeconomic factors, with special regard to the students' food-security status. A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was carried out from 27 March to 3 July 2022 among international students at the University of Debrecen. The questionnaire included information on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, food-security status (six-item United States Department of Agriculture Food Security Survey Module (USDA-FSSM)), and psychological distress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21)). Bivariate analysis was conducted to examine the potential associations between demographic/socioeconomic factors and psychological distress. Additionally, multiple logistic regression was employed to further analyze these associations. Of 398 participants, 42.2%, 48.7%, and 29.4% reported mild to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The ages 18-24 (AOR = 2.619; 95% CI: 1.206-5.689) and 25-29 (AOR = 2.663; 95% CI: 1.159-6.119), reporting a low perception of health status (AOR = 1.726; 95% CI: 1.081-2.755), and being food insecure (AOR = 1.984; 95% CI: 1.274-3.090) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Being female (AOR = 1.674; 95% CI: 1.090-2.571), reporting a low perception of health status (AOR = 1.736; 95% CI: 1.098-2.744), and being food insecure (AOR = 2.047; 95% CI: 1.327-3.157) were significantly associated with anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, being female (AOR = 1.702; 95% CI: 1.026-2.824)), living with roommates (AOR = 1.977; 95% CI: 1.075-3.635), reporting a low perception of health status (AOR = 2.840; 95% CI: 1.678-4.807), and being food insecure (AOR = 2.295; 95% CI:1.398-3.767) were significantly associated with symptoms of stress. Psychosocial programs combined with strategies to alleviate food insecurity are required to enhance international students' mental health and well-being.

The health status of health professionals, including medical doctors is an important topic, although it is an under-researched area in Hungary and in the East-Central European countries as well. Our quasi-cohort research was focused on the health status, morbidities, anthropometric parameters, lifestyle and professional career of Hungarian medical doctors who graduated in 1979, following them 25y, 30y and 40y after graduation, seeking differences between professional groups and genders. In 2019, the mean age of participants was 64.9y, the average number of children was 2.08, higher among surgical professionals (2.43). Men reported higher number of own children. The number of night shifts decreased during the past decades. Most of them is already retired, 70% is working besides receiving a pension. 27% changed their medical specialty, 36% intended to work in another field of medicine, when graduated. About 10% of them achieved scientific (PhD) degree, most of them were satisfied with own professional carrier. The body weight and BMI significantly increased during decades, without statistical difference between genders and professional groups. Diabetes was self reported in 7%, hypertension in 44%. Men neglected more frequently their regular health check-up. Compared to their patients at the same age, 71% rated their own health status better. Among those, who reported regular physical activities, the ratio of men was higher; the average time spent on sport was the same as in the past decades, although the ratio of persons who had regular physical activity decreased, fewer participated in team sport activities. Their sleeping habit is quiet, the time is 6.3 h between workdays and 7.7 h on weekends. Burn-out was not reported. The ratio of smokers decreased; the self-reported daily intake of alcoholic beverages was 1.3, the weekly 3.7 units. Differences described earlier between professional groups disappeared. The problems of the recent Hungarian health care system were similarly rated, although the income of Hungarian physicians has increased to a great extent in the past years. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(29): 1127-1133.

Background: Primary health care provision in terms of quality, equity, and costs are different by countries. The Quality and Costs of Primary Care (QUALICOPC) study evaluated these domains and parameters in 35 countries, using uniformized method with validated questionnaires filled out by family physicians/general practitioners (GPs).This paper aims to provide data of the Hungarian-arm of the QUALICOPC study and to give an overview about the recent Hungarian primary care (PC) system., Methods: The questionnaires were completed in 222 Hungarian GP practices, delivered by fieldworkers, in a geographically representative distribution. Descriptive analysis was performed on the data., Findings: Financing is based mostly on capitation, with additional compensatory elements and minor financial incentives. The gate-keeping function is weak. The communication between GPs and specialists is often insufficient. The number of available devices and equipment are appropriate. Single-handed practices are predominant. Appointment instead of queuing is a new option and is becoming more popular, mainly among better-educated and urban patients. GPs are involved in the management of almost all chronic condition of all generations. Despite the burden of administrative tasks, half of the GPs estimate their job as still interesting, burn-out symptoms were rarely found. Among the evaluated process indicators, access, continuity, comprehensiveness, and coordination were rated as satisfactory, together with equity among health outcome indicators. Financing is insufficient; therefore, many GPs are involved in additional income-generating activities. The old age of the GPs and the lack of the younger GPs generation contributes to a shortage in manpower. Cooperation and communication between different levels of health care provision should be improved, focusing better on community orientation and on preventive services. Financing needs continuous improvement and appropriate incentives should be implemented. There is a need for specific PC-oriented guidelines to define properly the tasks and competences of GPs.

Background: Preferences and wishes of patients is an important indicator of primary health care provision, although there are differences between national primary care systems., Aim: The aim of this paper is to describe and evaluate the preferences and values of Hungarian primary care (PC) patients before accessing and to analyse their experiences after attending PC services., Methods: In the Hungarian arm of the European QUALICOPC Study, in 2013-2014, information was collected with questionnaires; the Patient Values contained 19 and the Patient Experiences had 41 multiple-choice questions., Findings: The questionnaires were filled by 2149 (840 men, 1309 women) using PC services, aged 49.1 (SD ± 16.7) years, 73% of them having chronic morbidities. Women preferred to be accompanied and rated their own health better. Patients in the lowest educational category and women visited their GPs more often, and they are consulted more frequently by other doctors as well. Men, older and secondary educated people reported more frequently chronic morbidities. Longer opening hours were preferred by patients with higher education. The most preferred expectations were availability and polite communication of doctors, not pressures on consultation time, clear instructions provided during consultations, shared decisions about treatments and options for consultations, the knowledge of the doctors concerning the living conditions, social and cultural backgrounds of patients, updated medical records, short waiting times, options for home visits, wide scope of professional competences and trust in the doctor., Conclusion: Wishes, preferences of patients and fulfilment were similar than described in other participating countries of the study. Although there are room to improve PC services, most of the questioned population were satisfied with the provision.

Összefoglaló. Az elhízás és következményes megbetegedései fontos népegészségügyi problémát jelentenek hazánkban is. Kezelése komoly szakmai kihívás, ugyanakkor prevenciója eredményesebb lehet. Az elhízott betegekkel leggyakrabban találkozó háziorvosok, más szakorvosok és egészségügyi szakemberek részéről nagy igény van egy viszonylag rövid, áttekinthető, naprakész gyakorlatias útmutatóra. A különböző orvosszakmai társaságokban tevékenykedő, évtizedes szakmai tapasztalatokkal rendelkező szerzők összefoglalják tudományosan megalapozott, bizonyítékokon alapuló ismereteiket. Az elhízás kezelését lépcsőzetesen célszerű megkezdeni, előtte felmérve a beteg motivációját, általános állapotát, lehetőségeit. A szerzők leírják az energiaszükséglet meghatározásával, az étrenddel és a fizikai aktivitás megtervezésével kapcsolatos alapvető szempontokat. Felsorolják a hazánkban elérhető gyógyszereket és metabolikus sebészeti beavatkozásokat, az életmódi támogatás igényét. Az elhízás megelőzésében az élet első 1000 napjának táplálkozása, a későbbiekben a szülői minta a meghatározó. Sok kihasználatlan lehetősége van a háziorvosok, a lakóközösségek, az állami szervek koordinált együttműködésének, helyi kezdeményezéseknek. Az elhízás betegségként való meghatározása egyaránt igényel egészségpolitikai és kormányzati támogatást, az elhízottak ellátására szakosodott multidiszciplináris centrumok számának és kompetenciájának növelését. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(9): 323-335. Summary. Obesity and related morbidities have a high public health impact in Hungary. The treatment is a challenge, but prevention seems more effective. General practitioners, other specialists and health care professionals who are treating obese persons require short, summarized, updated and practical guideline. Hungarian medical professionals of different scientific societies, having decennial practices, are summarizing their evidence-based knowledge. Obesity management requires step by step approach, evaluating previously the general health condition, motivation and options of the patients. The measurement of energy requirement, planning of diet and physical activities, available surgical methods and medications are described in detail with life style and mental support needed. The most important period in the prevention of obesity is the first 1000 days from conception. Other significant factors are the life style habits of the parents. Proper obesity prevention requires better coordination of primary health care, community and governmental activities. Obesity should be defined as morbidity, therefore stronger governmental support and more health-policy initiatives are needed, beside increasing number and developing of multidisciplinary centres. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(9): 323-335.

Trends and the main problems since the introduction of primary care (PC) system in Hungary (1992) were evaluated. Shortage of human resources, reduced professional competences, enormous administrative burden, and inappropriate health policy is described. There are no primary care guidelines and reliable quality indicators. Professional education of family physicians, working nowadays in the PC system, is appropriate. Their workload and the number of patients' visit are high, mainly because of the low health literacy in the general population and due to the administrative requirements. Although financing has been increased in the previous years, it is less than desired. PC needs a priority in the healthcare system; providers need higher income and attractive professional carrier, more focus to PC in the undergraduate education. Legislations in PC should be based on conceptual planning and consensus of professional bodies. Decision making needs a previous evaluation of expected outcomes, quality insurance should be developed, appropriate performance payment, less and rational administrative tasks, new structures of PC provision should be implemented respecting the local needs, supported by a clear communication of policy makers. PC system at higher level could have more benefit for the population. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(24): 926-935.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing public health problem worldwide. We studied some patient-related factors that might influence the antimicrobial resistance. and whether the volume of antibiotic prescribing of the primary care physicians correlate with the antibiotic resistance rates of commensal nasal Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae., Methods: The socio-demographic questionnaires, the antibiotic prescription and resistance data of commensal nasal S. aureus and S. pneumoniae were collected in the 20 participating Hungarian practices of the APRES study. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed on the patient-related data and the antimicrobial resistance of the S. aureus and S. pneumoniae on individual, patient level. Ecological analyses were performed with Spearman's rank correlations at practice level, the analyses were performed in the whole sample (all practices) and in the cohorts of primary care practices taking care of adults (adult practices) or children (paediatric practices)., Results: According to the multivariate model, age of the patients significantly influenced the antimicrobial resistance of the S. aureus (OR = 0.42, p = 0.004) and S. pneumoniae (OR = 0.89, p < 0.001). Living with children significantly increased the AMR of the S. pneumoniae (OR = 1.23, p = 0.019). In the cohorts of adult or paediatric practices, neither the age nor other variables influenced the AMR of the S. aureus and S. pneumoniae. At practice level, the prescribed volume of penicillins significantly correlated with the resistance rates of the S. aureus isolates to penicillin (rho = 0.57, p = 0.008). The volume of prescribed macrolides, lincosamides showed positive significant correlations with the S. pneumoniae resistance rates to clarithromycin and/or clindamycin in all practices (rho = 0.76, p = 0.001) and in the adult practices (rho = 0.63, p = 0.021)., Conclusions: The age is an important influencing factor of antimicrobial resistance. The results also suggest that there may be an association between the antibiotic prescribing of the primary care providers and the antibiotic resistance of the commensal S. aureus and S. pneumoniae. The role of the primary care physicians in the appropriate antibiotic prescribing is very important to avoid the antibiotic resistance.

Background: Obesity could be considered as the main consequence of unhealthy nutrition, responsible for many pathological alterations in human. Obese patients usually need more health care services. The aim of the study was to estimate the financial expenditures of health care provisions in Hungary, related to obesity and diabetes, as its main pathological consequence., Methods: Data of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) were collected for 2013, regarding finances of secondary care, hospital services, reimbursement for medications and healing aids of diabetic patients together with selected morbidities linked to obesity, based on the codes of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and calculated their population prevalence on the population-attributable fraction (PAF)., Results: Financial data regarding diabetes care resulted in a 40,311 Million HUF (129 Million EUR) national fund expenses, beside a 7,173 Million HUF (23 Million EUR) contribution from patients. Estimated total health care expenditures related to obesity were 58,986 Million HUF (188 Million EUR) and the financial contribution of patients was calculated as 25,316 Million HUF (81 Million EUR). These data represent a 5.2% and 9.3% of the whole national health services, 16% and 30% of the whole drug-reimbursement budgets, respectively., Conclusions: Although expenditures for some obesity related pathologies analyzed in this paper represent 0.28% of the national GDP, considering other morbidities and other patient's expenses, the real ratio could be between 0.5-1%. The increasing number of overweight and obese persons requires more focus in public health, higher awareness in the society and more governmental support., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest has been declared by the authors., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The Hungarian primary care quality indicator system has been introduced in 2009, and has been continuously developed since then. The system offers extra financing for family physicians who are achieving the expected levels of indicators. There are currently 16 indicators for adult and mixed practices and 8 indicators are used in paediatric care. Authors analysed the influencing factors of the indicators other than those related to the performance of family physicians. Expectations and compliance of patients, quality of outpatient (ambulatory) care services, insufficient flow of information, inadequate primary care softwares which need to be updated could be considered as the most important factors. The level of financial motivations should also be significantly increased besides changes in the reporting system. It is recommended, that decision makers in health policy and financing have to declare clearly their expectations, and professional bodies should find the proper solution. These indicators could contribute properly to the improvement of the quality of primary care services in Hungary.

Introduction: The pandemic of obesity has a great impact on the health care system, and it accounts for an increasing ratio of health care expenses., Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the economic burden of overweight and obesity including both the health care budget and financial contribution of patients., Method: Data of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund were analyzed in the financial year of 2012. Expenses related to inpatient (hospital) and outpatient services and sick-leave finances related to obesity, diabetes and hypertension were analyzed. The incidence of obesity was calculated as high as 80% in diabetics and 60% in patients with hypertension., Results: According to this method of estimation, 207,000 million HUF (680 million EUR) was spent for treatment, which accounts for 11.6% of the total Hungarian health budget and corresponds to 0.73% of the gross domestic product. Additionally, at least 22,000 million HUF was paid by the patients as contribution to treatment. However, expenses related to overweight and obesity may be even higher considering a higher prevalence rate of overweight and obesity, and the occurrence of co-morbidities with higher costs (between 15% and 18% of the total health expenditure and at least 1% of the gross domestic product)., Conclusions: The results confirm that obesity- and overweight-related expenses represent a significant proportion of health care expenditure.

Introduction: Reporting liability of family physicians/general practitioners is the keystone for proper surveillance of infectious diseases., Aim: The aim of the study was to find out why some of the family physicians neglect to report infectious diseases to the health authorities and determine their motivation and attitude towards the infectious disease reporting system., Method: Self-fill-in questionnaire was used to obtain data. Of the 228 family physicians who were called to participate in the study 116 family physicians sent back evaluable questionnaires. Descriptive statistic method was used to analyze the data and determine the reporting frequencies and ratios., Results: Family physicians reported nearly 50% of all reported cases of infectious diseases. The main reason of underreporting was the lack of knowledge about the rules of the reporting system. According to most family physicians, an online based reporting system would be much more efficient instead of a paper based one., Conclusions: The authors conclude that education of family physicians would be mandatory in order to improve reporting of infectious diseases.

The history and the recent state of occupational medicine in Hungary, and its relation with governmental labor organizations are analyzed. In the past 20 years, large "socialist" factories were replaced by smaller companies employing fewer workers. They have been forced to establish contract with occupational health providers. Many of them offer primary care services, whereas family physicians having a board examination in occupational medicine are allowed to work in this field as well. The market of occupational medicine is less regulated, and ethical rules are not always considered. Undercutting prices is a common practice. The recent system could be improved by some regulations which should be respected. There is no reason to make rough changes establishing a new market for profit oriented insurance companies, and to allow employees and employers to work without specification neglecting international agreements. Occupational medicine should be supervised again by the health authorities instead of economists who have quite different, short-term priorities.

The importance of primary care has already been recognized in the developed countries, where the structure and function of primary care is very heterogeneous. In the QUALICOPC study, the costs, quality and equity of primary care systems will be compared in the 34 participating countries. Representative samples of primary care practices were recruited in Hungary. An evaluation with questionnaire was performed in 222 practices on the work circumstances, conditions, competency and financial initiatives. Ten patients in each practice were also questioned by independent fieldworkers. In this work, the methodology and Hungarian experience are described. The final results of the international evaluation will be analyzed and published later. It is expected that data obtained from the QUALICOPC study may prove to be useful in health service planning and may be shared with policy makers.

Unlabelled: In the last decades there was a considerable development in the field of sexual medicine, which is a relatively new discipline integrating studies on the physiology, biology, psycho-social and cultural aspects of sexuality of both genders including morbidities affecting sexual health and well being. Issues regarding sexuality are often neglected during routine medical consultations. There is lack of comparable data about the average sexual activity of men; many of them collected from commercial sources., Aim: This study aimed to collect reliable data about the sexual activity of Hungarian men., Method: Patients attending the andrology and urology outpatient department were asked during consultation about their intercourse frequency., Results: Data of 723 men (age between 21-61 years) were evaluated. Mean of weekly intercourses was 3.1, with small difference between age decades. Only men over 50 years reported significantly less frequency (1.9/week). Other possible influencing factors were not analyzed., Conclusion: Comparing with available international data, Hungarian men seem to be among the most active male population worldwide.

Unlabelled: Delays between the onset of symptoms, consulting the doctor and the diagnosis are important periods for the success of oncologic treatment. They may depend on the patient's socio-economic status, qualification, relationship with the doctor and the health care system., Aims and Methods: Hundred and ten cancer patients were questioned about their age, social status, qualifications and experiences on delay in the diagnostic procedures and frequency of regular attendance by their family doctors., Results: It was found that 67% of the patients visited the family doctor only when they had symptoms. At the time of the onset of symptoms, 45% of the patients visited family doctors. In case of symptoms suggesting cancer, a longer delay was observed in men than in women; 44% of men while 50% of women were diagnosed within one month. The longest delay was observed in a small proportion of patients over 60 years of age with university degree, while the shortest periods were reported in those with secondary school and university degrees. Patients with low income were overrepresented in all delay categories., Conclusions: Family physicians may play an important role in the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of tumors but these advantages are not exploited in the relationship between family doctors and their patients.

The journal impact factor (IF) is often recognized as a symbol of scientific prestige and relevance. However it is greatly influenced by the field or scope of journals, publisher, scientific, editorial, and economic background. Although there are many suggestions to modify the most important scientometric parameter, it is widely used to compare journals, individuals, departments, scientific outputs to judge academic promotions, grant allocations, awarding appointments. Most of the researchers use international database searching relevant publication, which will be cited in their own paper. Unfortunately these international databases refer only few Hungarian journals. It is recommended to develop and maintain a Hungarian Electronic Medical Bibliography, divided by the field of scientific interest (e.g., diabetology, gastroenterology, public health, urology etc.). Authors can upload the list or full text of publications, if copyright agreements allow, and search other Hungarian papers for citation, to promote each others. Organizer, manager, host and supporters of this database are very welcomed.

Unlabelled: The health status and social circumstances of medical professionals have been studied worldwide. However, there are only a few published studies pertaining to these topics in the countries of the former Eastern block. The present paper aimed at charting the state of health, the medical career path and some sociological factors of Hungarian medical doctors who graduated in 1979. The results were analysed for differences between genders and professional specialty groups (primary, surgical, non-surgical, and diagnostic), respectively., Materials and Method: Two-hundred and twenty-eight doctors who graduated in 1979 at Semmelweis Medical University in Budapest, Hungary, were asked to fill out a questionnaire on these topics., Results: More men were in surgical professions, whereas a larger proportion of women became primary specialists. Women had to modify their specialty or place of work more often than men. The average number of children was 2.26 for men and 1.87 for women. The highest increases in body weight were registered in primary specialist men and non-surgical women. Hypertension and failure to attend regular screenings were more common in males and they were not always treated properly. Physical exercise, typically sports, were reduced after graduation, furthermore the preferred types of activity also changed after graduation. Female physicians considered regular exercise more important. Smokers were mainly amongst surgical specialist men and women working in primary care. Surgical professionals and women in non-surgical specialties consumed more alcoholic beverages. As patients, male physicians followed medical advice more faithfully. Doctors judged their own health status to be better than that of their patients. The knowledge of foreign languages was higher in men. Ten percent of physicians received a postgraduate degree in research.

Administrative tasks are continuously increasing in the different health systems worldwide and also in the primary care. The administrative and reporting tasks of family physicians in Hungary are regulated by laws and rules. The aim of the study was to compare the recent Hungarian administrative tasks to those of other European countries in the primary care. Family physicians from 22 countries of the European General Practice Research Network were asked to fill a questionnaire regarding their countries. The results of their answers were presented and analyzed. Doctors are paid by capitation or fee for services, sometimes by the combination of both. They are obliged to prepare reports which depend on the respective countries, contain identification data of patients, diagnoses to be set up, and treatments. Administrative duties and the national characteristics of drug-prescriptions, referral systems to specialist or hospital were also analyzed. Conclusions were made in comparison with the European and Hungarian regulations. Reports needed by the Hungarian authorities are more complex and detailed, with many overlaps. The reasons why data are needed are often not clear and do not fit for the purpose. The time available for medical treatment is decreased by administrative duties making the gate-keeper function ineffective. There is no time for real prevention. Without official (governmental) version of primary care softwares, family physicians use too many softwares with different quality, which are not compatible with each other. It is suggested to check and modify the data obliged in reporting systems. Only data relevant in epidemiological or economical points of view should be reported with more focus to personal protection of privacy rights.

Background: This study aimed to chart the health, perceived health, medical career, life style, and sociological factors of Hungarian physicians who graduated in 1979. The results were analyzed for differences between genders and professional specialty groups (primary, surgical, non-surgical, diagnostic)., Material/methods: Of 228 questionnaire completed by doctors 25 years after graduation from Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary, 186 were analyzable., Results: More men were in surgical professions; a larger proportion of women became primary specialists. Women had to modify their specialty or place of work more often. The average number of children was 2.26 for men and 1.87 for women. Primary specialist men and non-surgical women showed the highest increases in body weight. Hypertension and failure to attend regular screenings were more common in males and they were more often dissatisfied with received treatment. Physical exercise, typically sports, were reduced after graduation and the preferred types of activity also changed. Female physicians considered regular exercise more important. Smokers were mainly male surgeons and women in primary care. Surgeons and women in non-surgical specialties consumed more alcohol. As patients, male physicians followed medical advice more faithfully. Doctors judged their own health status as better than their patients'. Knowledge of foreign languages was higher in the men. Ten percent of the physicians had postgraduate degrees in research., Conclusions: Physicians give advice and provide care, but they do not always follow such advice themselves. Their social circumstances and scientific careers depend mostly on the social and health system in which they work.

People with diabetes are cared for by family physicians and special ambulances. Diagnostic and therapeutic interventions are similar to other European countries. The Hungarian Diabetes Association is the lead contributor to scientific events and professional and patient education. Close cooperation between health suppliers and patient's education is central to further development. Ongoing health reform may modify the access to care.

Unlabelled: In 2005 the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund offered a screening program for family physicians among their patients, focusing mainly on cardiovascular risks. Within the close deadline the applications of 350 from the 6500 family physicians in practice were accepted., Patients and Methods: Three general practitioners from a suburb of Budapest are presenting their experiences obtained from the cohort of patients aged 35-50 years who are rarely visiting the surgery., Results: The data of laboratory tests and anthropometric measurements were analyzed with special software, developed for this screening program. Among their 1076 patients 60 patients with (pre)diabetes, 270 with lipid disorders (181 with hypertrigliceridemia and 79 with hypercholesterolemia) and 50 with hypertension were found, including overlaps. Twenty three percent of the study population smoked and 49% of them were overweight (BMI >25 kg/m(2)). According to the calculations of the software 42% of them had low, 1% had medium and 44% had high global cardiovascular risk. Comparing the ratio of patients who accepted the prescribed therapy and reached the recommended target levels, the following ratio (in percents) were registered: diabetes (87/56), hypertension (95/57), dyslipidemia (56/16)., Conclusions: It seems that recommendations for treatment of diabetes and hypertension are more frequently accepted by patients, than that of dyslipidemia. The doctors offered treatment less frequently for their patients with dyslipidemia, perhaps because of the low recommended lipid target levels. After a short overview of the program, the experiences were analyzed in the following points of view: economical, organizational, professional, informatics, epidemiological and that of patients and family physicians.

Introduction: The elderly represent a growing segment of populations in developed and also in developing countries. Anthropological measurements offer a cheap and easy way method for assessment of health and nutritional status and in prediction for mortality. Anthropological parameters and their relation to blood pressure were studied in elderlies., Methods: Two hundred-thirteen elderly people (83 men over 65 y and 110 women over 60 y) were involved. The weight, height, waist- and hip circumferences were measured and waist: hip ratio, and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Blood pressure was measured by the use of sphygmomanometer. Hypertension was diagnosed when systolic blood pressure was >/= 140 and/or diastolic >/= 90 mmHg. The SPSS 10 version for Windows was used for statistical analysis., Results: According to the BMI, 72% of men and 65% women were considered overweight or obese. According to waist circumference 51% of men and 83% of women belonged to the high risk group. Under 80 y the mean blood pressure was in the pathological range both in the case of men and women. That could be considered as a sign of the insufficient efficiency of treatment or bad compliance. By 60% of this elderly population hypertension was registered. 75% of people, considered overweight or obese according to BMI, showed hypertension. According to the waist circumference, in 73% of people in the high risk group hypertension was detected versus 6% of persons in the non-risk group. This relation could not be observed in women., Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity and overweight is higher in the elderly group than in the younger adult population. Decrease in body mass may be suggested only by cautious nutritional intervention, control of systolic blood pressure should be more regular and prudent.