Analysis of changes in cancer health care system in Poland since the socio-economic transformation in 1989
Journal Title: Roczniki Państwowego Zakładu Higieny - Year 2016, Vol 67, Issue 4
Abstract
Background. The transformation period in Poland is associated with a set of factors seen as ‘socio-economic stress’, which unfavourably influenced cancer treatment and slowed down the progress of the Polish cancer care in the 90’s. These outcomes in many aspects of cancer care may be experienced till today. The results of the international EUROCARE and CONCORD studies based on European data prove evidence that there is a substantial potential for improvement of low 5-year survival rates in Poland. Since high survivals are related to notably efficient health care system, therefore, to improve organization and treatment methods seems to be one of the most important directions of change in the Polish health care system. Till today, cancer care in Poland is based on a network outlined by Professor Koszarowski in the Middle of the last century, and is a solid foundation for the contemporary project of the Comprehensive Cancer Care Network (CCCN) proposed in the frame of CanCon Project. Objective. Analysis of the structure of health care system and the changes introduced within the network of oncology in Poland since the beginning of the post-commuinist socio-economic transformation in 1989. Materials and Methods. This study was conducted based on the CanCon methods aimed at reviewing specialist literaturę and collecting meaningful experiences of European countries in cancer care, including the main legal regulations. Results. The analysis provided evidence that the political situation and the economic crisis of the Transformation period disintegrated the cancer care and resulted in low 5-year survival rates. A step forward in increasing efficiency of the cancer treatment care was a proposal of the ’Quick Oncological Therapy’ together with one more attempt to organize a CCCN. With this paper the Authors contribute to the CanCon Project by exploration, analysis and discussion of the cancer network in Poland as an example of existing net-like structures in Europe as well as by preparation of guidelines for constructing a contemporary CCCN. Conclusions. (1) ‘Socio-economic’ stress adversely affected the efficiency of oncological treatment, both by reducing safety and slowing down the development of modern oncology. (2) Changing the current system into the contemporary form - CCCN could be an important step forward to optimise the oncological health care in Poland. (3) Introduction of the mandatory monitoring of organizational changes with the use of health standardized indicators could allow for the assessment of the effectiveness of implemented solutions and their impact on better prognosis for cancer patients. (4) Optimising the organization of the health care system is possible only by implementing necessary legislative corrections .
Authors and Affiliations
D. Dudek-Godeau, A. Kieszkowska-Grudny, K. Kwiatkowska, J. Bogusz, M. J. Wysocki, M. Bielska-Lasota
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP250623
- DOI -
- Views 58
- Downloads 0
Analysis of selected chemical parameters in Piemontese wines
Background. Piemontese wines are well known and valued all over the world. The most popular of them are Barolo and Barbaresco wines. However, in Poland, they are still little known and only now are being gradually introd...
Anthropometric assessment of the nutritional status of children and adolescents residing in selected Polish orphanages based on their energy intake and physical activity level
Background. Actions to the prevention of overweight and obesity should be first addressed to the youngest population and their parents, guardians as well as teachers. The major objectives of prevention and treatment of o...
Flavonoids intake among Polish and Spanish students
Background. Flavonoids are a group of bioactive compounds that are extensively found in foodstuffs of plant origin. Their regular consumption plays an important role in the prevention of degenerative diseases, particular...
Assessment of water intake from food and beverages by elderly in Poland
Background. Fluid intake in elderly is more important than in younger individuals, because compromised homeostatic mechanisms such as loss of the thirst sensation can result in dehydration. Objective. The aim of the pre...
Assessment of the nutritional value daily food rations of children aged 1-4 years
Background. An adequately balanced daily food rations (DFR) providing the organism with a sufficient amount of energy and nutrients, including minerals, is particularly important in infanthood and early childhood due to...