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Barbara Jankowiak,1 Beata Kowalewska,1 Elżbieta Krajewska- Kułak,1 Rafał Milewski,2 Maria Anna Turosz3 1Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; 2Faculty of Health Sciences Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; 3Faculty of Physical Education and Health Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty in Biala Podlaska, Biala Podlaska, PolandCorrespondence: Barbara JankowiakDepartment of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, 7A MC Skłodowskiej Str, Bialystok, 15-096, PolandTel +48 85 748 55 28Email barbara.jankowiak@umb.edu.plIntroduction: Psoriasis is a chronic disease with intermittent flares and remissions. Each individual perceives the disease, its somatic effects, resultant dysfunction and related problems differently. This attitude is primarily determined by one’s characterological traits and type of illness. A primary response to the diagnosis can be denial, underestimation, acceptance or overestimation of the disease. The aim of the study was to analyze the level of illness acceptance and its effect on the quality of life in moderate psoriasis depending on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients.Materials and Methods: The study included 186 patients with plaque psoriasis with Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores ≤ 10. The inclusion criteria of the study were duration of psoriasis > 2 years, age ≥ 18 years, and lack of other somatic or mental disorders during three months preceding the study. The study participants completed the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) as well as an original survey containing questions about their sociodemographic characteristics and information about their disease.Results: Mean AIS score for the study group was 24.3 pts. Patients older than 40 years presented with lower levels of illness acceptance than younger persons (p = 0.0311). Also, patients’ sex and duration of psoriasis significantly affected the acceptance of the illness, with lower AIS scores found in women (p = 0.0092) and persons with a longer history of the disease (p = 0.0362). Mean DLQI score for the study group was 13.3 pts. A lower level of illness acceptance turned out to exert an unfavorable effect on the quality of life (QOL) in psoriasis (p = 0.0015; R = − 0.33).Conclusion: In this study, patients with psoriasis presented with a moderate level of the illness acceptance, and a significant correlation was found between this parameter and QOL.Keywords: illness acceptance, psoriasis, psychodermatology, quality of life more...

Beata Kowalewska,1 Barbara Jankowiak,1 Mateusz Cybulski,1 Elżbieta Krajewska-Kułak,1 Dzmitry Fiodaravich Khvorik2 1Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; 2Department of Dermatovenerology, Medical University in Grodno, Grodno, BelarusCorrespondence: Beata KowalewskaDepartment of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, 7A Curie-Skłodowskiej Str., Bialystok, 15-096, PolandTel +48 85 748 55 28Email beata.kowalewska@umb.edu.plIntroduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin having a profound effect on the quality of life and contributing to the sense of stigmatization in the affected patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of psoriasis severity on the quality of life and sense of stigmatization in psoriatics and to investigate relationships between these measures and sociodemographic variables.Patients and Methods: The study included 111 patients with psoriasis. The inclusion criteria of the study were the diagnosis of psoriasis and written informed consent to participate. The study was based on a short survey prepared by the authors and four validated scales: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), 6-item Stigmatization Scale, 33-item Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire, and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).Results: Mean PASI score for the study group was 14 pts. Most respondents presented with low DLQI scores, with the mean value of 10.8 pts suggesting that the disease-related ailments were not extremely burdensome for the majority of the patients. Mean stigmatization scores for the 6- and 33-item scale were 7– 8 and 81– 82 pts, respectively.Conclusion: The severity of psoriasis was the strongest determinant of the quality of life measured with the DLQI. Also, the levels of stigmatization determined with the 6- and 33-item scale correlated significantly with PASI scores.Keywords: psoriasis, quality of life, stigmatization, psoriasis severity, psychodermatology, DLQI, PASI more...

Purpose: The aim of this study was to validate the Trust in Physician Scale (TPS) for Polish patients. Materials and Methods: The validation of a Polish-language version of Anderson and Dedrick's TPS was performed with a group of 849 patients. Validation consisted of the translation and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Polish TPS and its application among Polishspeaking patients. We also explored the TPS with the patient's sex, age, education, income, marital status, and number of physician visits. Results: The internal consistency of the Polish TPS was high (Cronbach's alpha = .891). In our study, the TPS is positively associated with age, education, income, marital status, and number of physician visits. Also, we have found that the TPS is negatively associated with sex and place of residence. Conclusions: The Polish-language scale fulfills all the criteria of psychometric and functional validation with the original version of the Trust in Physician Scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Purpose: To analyse knowledge of patients in the Interventional Cardiology Department in the field of theory of the disease entity, i.e. myocardial infarction and factors predisposing to its occurrence. Materials and methods: The study was carried out at the Interventional Cardiology Department of the Regional Specialist Hospital in BiałaPodlaska between 3.11.2017 and 20.12.2017. Sixty respondents were included, 62% women and 38% men. The largest group were patients between 46 and 60 years of age. The work involved an anonymous questionnaire, which contained 28 questions, including two open ones. Patients participated in the study were informed that the study was voluntary and the questionnaire was anonymous. Results: According to the respondents, the main cause of myocardial infarction is atherosclerosis (43.4%). The respondents indicate that cardiovascular diseases (including myocardial infarction) which are on the third place in Poland, right after cancer and injuries, cause death (63.3%). As the main factor that influences the occurrence of myocardial infarction is overweight and obesity (79.8%). More than half of the respondents assess their knowledge of myocardial infarction on average, while 18.3 % said that they have very good knowledge. Conclusions: Patients with myocardial infarction have quite a good knowledge about the risk factors for this disease. A large group of respondents tries to counteract the risk factors for myocardial infarction. A small part of the respondents undergoes regular blood tests (blood glucose level, total cholesterol and its fractions, measurement of blood pressure). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most frequent arrhythmias. In Poland, there is a risk of developing AF in about 400,000 people. Atrial fibrillation occurs most frequently as a result of disorders of physiological automatism and afterdepolarization and triggered activity. The treatment strategy of AF is based on pharmacological treatment and procedures such as ablation or cardioversion. The quality of life as defined by the WHO is an individual perception of one's well-being. On the other hand, the assessment of the quality of life in illness is modified regarding health problems. Purpose: The main goal of the study was to get to know the quality of life of people with atrial fibrillation. Materials and methods: The research was carried out using a diagnostic survey, based on a survey among 100 patients diagnosed with AF. The place of the research was the Regional Specialist Hospital in Bia'a Podlaska, in the Emergency Department. Results: Increased morbidity was observed among women and people over the age of 60. The majority of patients with AF declared the quality of life at the medium level. The respondents most often followed medical recommendations. The majority of respondents did not follow healthy lifestyle rules, because as many as 68% of respondents did not do any physical activity and a significant part of the respondents smoked cigarettes and had an inflated BMI. Conclusion: AF affects the quality life by causing sadness, irritation and insomnia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the perception of violence held by children and adolescents aged 8 to 16 years based on their artworks. 163 children's drawings submitted from across Poland on "Children against violence." were analyzed. These pictures were analysed according to their contents. The artworks were made using various techniques: torn paper collage, collage, wax scratch, coloring pages, painting using poster paints and watercolors. Drawings have been classified in twelve thematic groups: "aggression against things", "peer violence", "violence and addiction", "family violence", "workplace violence", "on-line violence," verbal violence", the continuity of violence", difficult choices",and " help ". Children and adolescents are good observers and they see various forms of violence, especially signs of bullying, and the impact of addictions on their development. Children know how to avoid and reduce violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Sending and receiving non-verbal messages between the doctor and the patient is very important and it has an influence for the quality of health care. The aim of present studies was to determine the influence of some non-verbal communication factors including modern technology using by doctors for patient's satisfaction after the examination. Materials and methods: We have asked 597 patients. We have used NDEPT Standard Scale--(Nonverbal Communication in doctor--elderly patient transactions: Development of a tool). The authors of the scale let us use it in Poland. Results: Patients were satisfied with the examination in following situations: during the examination they could see the telephone, computer, medical items and other equipment; the distance between the doctor and the patient was less than 61 cm and there were no physical obstacles; during the examination the doctor was face to face to the patient (angle 180 or 90) and he was using gestures; the eyes of the doctor were in the same line as the eyes of the patient. Conclusions: The skill of the right communication is an important factor in medicine, but it is often underestimated. But we must know that apart from knowledge the efficiency of therapy and the efficiency of diagnostics depend on the right relation between doctors and patients. Skills which are necessary to the right interaction between the doctor and the patient are usually nonverbal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Health education is the child of medicine and pedagogy, and they share a common focus on humans. The aim of this study was to assess the preferred behaviours associated with health as well as the health locus of control of the tested patients. Materials and methods: The study included 300 patients from surgical wards (group I) and 300 from non-surgical wards (group II), studying them using the Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI) and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) scales. Results: For the six statements contained in the Sanitary Behaviours Letter concerning proper nutrition, the surveyed patients received the lowest average values. Among the preventive behaviours, participants reported that they complied with medical recommendations, conducted settled family and social life, and reduced their smoking, but that they did not attach sufficient importance to rest or weight control. In relation to the four examined categories of behaviour, general indicators of the severity of health behaviour did not differ significantly between the groups, which both reported a low level of health behaviour. The majority of women expressed the conviction that their health depends on themselves, demonstrating internal health control, while men tended to claim that their health was dependent on fate or luck. Inhabitants of rural areas exhibited internal control and blamed their own health behaviour for their well-being. Urban residents, on the other hand, showed a stronger belief in the influence of others on their health. Conclusions: The majority of patients showed poor attention to health matters, especially in terms of preferred health practices. However, the less education the participants had and the worse their financial situation grew, the stronger the care for their own health became. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Statistical data from the turn of the 20th century shows a significant increase in the average human life span and, what follows, an extension of old age. The world is aging and Poland has joined the list of countries which have been classified as demographically old since the rate at which society is aging has become very fast. Purpose: The aim of this thesis was to become familiar with the opinions submitted by respondents regarding aging and old age, health problems connected with aging and preferred health behaviors. Materials and methods: The research was conducted between January 3rd of 2013 and February 15th of 2014 on a group of 200 junior high school students and 200 university students from the Medical University of Białystok Faculty of Health Sciences using a questionnaire created by the authors. Results: A vast majority of the respondents of the study groups declared that they have thought about old age. Among university students this percentage reached 38.5%. Almost 50.0% of all respondents acknowledged that older people are needed by society. Conclusions: The results show that the aging process should be contemplated considering multiple aspects of life: biological, psychological and social. Moreover, youth education programs about seniors and old age as well as about ways to counteract their stigmatization should be introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Purpose: To analyze the relationship between the psychological condition of representatives from various professional groups of healthcare workers, the degree of their exposure to patient aggression, as well as with the duration of their professional experience. Materials and methods: Study participants (n=1498) were employed at open and closed healthcare units within Podlaskie province: 493 nurses, 504 midwives and 501 physicians. The Work Features Evaluation Questionnaire and General Health Evaluation Questionnaire GHQ28 were applied, and the psychological condition of medical staff was examined based on a 30-question survey Results: When analyzing all of the groups of medical personnel, the mean level of exposure to patient aggression fell within the moderate range. The highest level of aggression was experienced amongst nurses, while the lowest - amongst midwives. The analyzed groups did not differ significantly in terms of the level of their psychological condition. With the exception of physicians, no significant association was observed between levels of patient aggression and the psychological condition of the medical personnel. Amongst physicians, individuals who experienced lower levels of aggression were characterized by significantly higher psychological condition values when compared to personnel exposed to moderate or high levels of patient aggression. No significant linear correlations between psychological condition levels and the frequency of patient aggression or duration of professional experience were noted in any of the analyzed professional groups. Conclusions: A moderate level of exposure to patient aggression is not the main factor affecting the psychological condition of medical personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Family is the basic institution providing informal care to elderly and disabled individuals. Purpose: To present care situations encountered by persons providing home care to an elder, the caregivers' needs for support and the factors determining their satisfaction with the care they provide. Materials and methods: The study was conducted at the Geriatric Ward of the Hospital of the Ministry of Interior in Bialystok among 105 home caregivers of the elderly. A diagnostics survey was based on an original survey questionnaire and the COPE Index. Functional capacity in the elderly (N=100) was determined based on the Barthel ADL (activities' in daily living) Index and the category of nursing care (category, I-III). The analysis covered also the pressure sore risk assessment (the Norton Scale). Results: The analysis based on the Barthel ADL Index showed that over 30.0% of the elderly individuals were given up to 40 points in the nursing assessment (seriously disabled). Almost all patients - 97.0% qualified to the 3rd category of nursing care. 64.0% of the elderly had an increased risk of pressure sore development (the Norton Scale). The problems connected with providing home care listed by caregivers included the lack of time, disability of the elder and locomotion difficulties. The analysis based on the Cope Index showed a positive relationship between the caregiver's age (r=0.216), education (r=0.196), the distance from the elder's home (r=0.216), the quality of received support (r=0.554), and the satisfaction in the care provided. Conclusions: Caregivers reported the need for different forms of support. Higher education, longer distance from home and the quality of received support were significantly associated with higher satisfaction with caregiving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Satisfaction with medical care is defined as the patient's level of acceptance of healthcare, taking into account his or her needs and expectations. Purpose: Determining the level of satisfaction with care in the early postnatal period. Identification of factors affecting the level of satisfaction with care in the early postnatal period. Materials and methods: The study covered 100 women aged 15-45, patients of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. The study employed the diagnostic survey method, using a custom-designed questionnaire. Results: 68% of hospitalized patients rated the conditions in the unit as good and very good. According to 42% of them, both the doctors and the midwives provided the patients with exhaustive information and expressed empathy. 54% of the surveyed women had not been acquainted with the floor plan of the unit, and 75% of the personnel had not revealed their names or functions to the patients. Conclusions: More than a half of the respondents assessed the level of care as good or very good. Assessing the early postnatal care they received, they mostly considered the conditions ensured by the hospital, the level of care from the personnel, both with respect to the women and newborns, and the general atmosphere in the unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Scientific communities are beginning to recognize more and more tension, burden and sometimes joy associated with caring for child with autism. Purpose: To determine the impact of the disease on functioning of a family with an autistic child. Material and Methods: We analyzed 83 families with children diagnosed with autistic disease, including 30 Polish families, 25 families from Belarus and 28 families from France. Parents filled in a questionnaire assessing their knowledge about problems associated with raising an autistic child. Results: Parents from Poland found most difficult to accept the child's health condition, and families from France coped with the problem best. For all parents the dominant impression after hearing the diagnosis was shock, French parents were the least likely to associate the disease as a punishment for their sins, which in turn often occurred among respondents from Poland and Belarus. Parents from Belarus frequently complained about problems their autistic child had with learning (about 3/4 of responses). While Polish parents surprisingly often recognized as the most onerous carrying out procedures related to the treatment of the child, they often complained about depression, sadness, insomnia. Respondents from Belarus most frequently could enjoy every day. Among the behaviours of autistic children differentiating the examined countries were: disobedience (by far the least indications in France), persistence (the lowest percentage in Belarus) and lies (parents from Poland most often complained about that). Among the parents' reaction to the annoying and stressful child's behaviour the attempts to admonish and explain were dominant, but these were parents from Poland, who frequently admitted that they shoutat the child. Conclusions: Among parents' reaction to the annoying and stressful child's behavior is an attempt to admonish and explain, moreover, Polish parents frequently admit to shout at the child. There are differences in the perception of the problems of parents of autistic children in selected countries, like Poland, France, and Belarus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Nursing education began at the Medical University of Białystok in 1956, when the Medical Academy in Białystok began its Public School of Nursing. It was organized by the Health Division and Social Care of the Provincial Council in Białystok in agreement with the Academy's authorities. The aim of the school was the education of a specialist staff of nurses and instructors for the new developing departments of the Medical School. The school conducted its activities until 1959. In 1999, it began a nursing education program at the Medical Academy in Białystok and the Department of Nursing was created at the Medical Faculty. At present, these educational programs are serving the licensing studies of nurses and midwives and the studies for the master's degree in nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Purpose: To evaluate perceptions of disabled persons held by children and adolescents aged 4 to 15 years based on their artwork. Materials and methods: 192 children's drawings were analyzed. These were submitted from all of Poland, from hospital recreation centers, schools, art studios, sick children, children with special needs, and healthy children in the "My disabled friend" contest. Results: Most artworks were from children aged from 8 to 10 years old (40.6%), 4 to 7 (33.9%) and 11 to 14 (17.2%). The remaining artwork was completed by adolescents from 15 to 20 years old - 16 (8.3%) persons (including the oldest with intellectual disabilities). The artworks were divided into four age groups: 4-7, 8-10, 11-14, and over 15. Various techniques were used: torn paper collage, collage, wax scratch, coloring pages, painting using poster paints and watercolors. Conclusions: The children's drawings show their positive attitude towards people with disabilities. Children are aware of the need to help and support people with disabilities. In the imagination of children, a disabled person can fully participate in society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Due to their future job and the specificity of academic classes, the exposure to alcoholic beverages constitutes the specific threat in the case of medical university students. Despite this, the frequency of alcohol consumption by this group of young people has not been analyzed in detail, thus far. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of alcohol consumption among students of the Medical University of Białystok. Materials and methods: The study was performed in March 2011 and included a representative group of 504 students from various faculties of the Medical University of Białystok. All participants completed the standardized, anonymous questionnnaire on drinking alcohol. Results: Only 14.4% of students reported never having tasted alcohol. Beer was the most consumed drink by both genders. Almost 16% of respondents declared consuming alcohol at least 40 times in the last 12 months. More than 60% of respondents reported consuming wine, spirit, or beer at least one time in the last month. Only a small percentage (2.8% - 5.4%) of students reported consuming alcohol at least 10 times during the analyzed period. Half of the participants reported consuming five drinks per occasion. More than 15% of respondents reported alcohol consumption at least 3-5 times per month. Most respondents neither declared undertaking risky behaviors under the influence of alcoholic beverages nor admitted experiencing consequences of such behavior. Conclusion: Patterns of alcohol consumption among the students participating in this study do not differ markedly from population-based characteristics of the respective age group; they are still associated with specific risks resulting from studying medical disciplines and future employment in a healthcare sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction: Approximately 7,000 different ethnic groups and nations inhabit the earth, and most of the tensions among people stem from prejudice and intolerance. Purpose: To assess a student perception of foreign nations and cultures. Materials and methods: We used the original questionnaire to assess the views of 150 students from Poland and 102 students from Belarus. Results: Twenty percent of the Polish respondents indicated that Poland is a tolerant nation; in contrast, 70.6% of Belarusian students claim that theirs is a tolerant nation. Almost 57% of the Polish and 34.3% of the Belarusian students knew a person belonging to a national or ethnic minority. 37.4% of the Polish respondents and 12.7% of the Belarusians were convinced that tolerance among foreign nations has increased. Neither the Polish nor the Belarusian students wanted to have as a neighbor, partner or spouse, a colleague at school who was a drug addict, homosexual or HIV positive. Nearly 40% of the Polish and 77.5% of the Belarusian respondents indicated that national minorities could have the opportunity to learn their language by accessing extra lessons offered at school. Fifty-eight percent from Poland and 52.9% from Belarus were opposed to providing financial assistance to support foreign cultures and traditions, and the same number believed that foreign students could communicate in their language in local offices. The Polish students' most positive features were attributed to the Italian, French, and Greek, whereas the Belarusian students held the British, Finnish and French in the highest esteem. The Polish respondent's most negative features were attributed to Gypsies and Russians, and the Belarusian students had the lowest esteem for the Germans, Arabs and Chechens. Conclusions: Poles are not tolerant nation, but their acceptance is increasing. Belarusians are tolerant, but their acceptance is declining. We found differences in the positive and negative perceptions of other nations depending on the nationality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A significant increase in the number of Polish citizens travelling abroad, including tropical areas, has been noted in recent years. However, tourists are often not interested in prophylaxis before their journey, they are not vaccinated properly or ask for advice at the clinic of tropical medicine. Therefore, concerns about the health of travellers from temperate climatic zone heading for countries where the sanitary level is low, are justified. The study presents the principles of good preparation for a journey, considering a trip to Ghana, West-Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Purpose: To evaluate perceptions of nurses as health educators held by children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years based on their artwork. Materials and methods: 514 children's drawings were analyzed. Titled "With a Nurse for Health," drawings were submitted from all over Poland, coming from hospital recreation centers, schools, art studios, sick children, children with special needs, and healthy children. Results: Children created images of nurses engaged in a detailed range of professional duties, including delivering care to children and attending to children?s personal hygiene. The drawings portrayed the nurses delivering first aid care for cases of injury, bleeding, and fractures, as well as applying or changing dressings. Nurses were depicted in hospital rooms, nurse?s offices, and emergency rooms. Conclusion: We believe that the analysis of children's artworks can help in the planning of health programs aimed at children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...