In an era of increasing chronic diseases, the health care system is increasingly changing its face. Treatment is becoming as important as prevention. Therefore, a new profession - prevention - has been established to play a key role in improving the health of society. Its meaning, tasks and requirements for candidates are explained by Mateusz Grajek, MD, of the Medical University of Silesia.
Preventive practitioner little known, though very important medical profession
Published April 23, 2025 08:06
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As Dr. Grajek explains, a prophylactician is a specialized health care professional responsible for preventing disease and promoting healthy lifestyles before the need for medical intervention arises. - The preventive is not the doctor's competitor, but his natural ally - he acts where early enough intervention can save health and even life, he stresses.
Importantly, only a person with a degree in public health can become a preventionist. This requirement follows directly from the law - more precisely, from the Act of August 17, 2023 on certain medical professions. This law introduces the profession into the Polish health care system and specifies that the right to practice as a health prophylactic is only granted to graduates of public health majors.
In his daily work, a health preventionist is involved in, among other things, conducting health risk factor assessments, educating the public about health risks, organizing prevention programs, and participating in campaigns to promote healthy lifestyles. He or she may also cooperate with local governments, schools, workplaces, as well as health institutions.
Dr. Grajek points out that the importance of preventive practitioners will grow year after year. - This is the profession of the answer to our times. Chronic diseases, which today cannot be completely eliminated by treatment, can be effectively reduced through preventive measures. And this means real savings for the health care system and huge benefits for society," he points out.
Moreover: - Preventive health professionals will be needed wherever one thinks not only about treatment, but especially about building healthy communities, Dr. Grajek adds. And he emphasizes: This is an opportunity for public health graduates to perform one of the most important functions in the modern health system - that of guardians of the health of entire populations.
With the new regulations coming into force, prevention in Poland is no longer an add-on, but is becoming a full-fledged part of the health care system. At a time when health challenges are on the rise, where the doctor cannot, that's where the preventionist must go - informed, educated and ready to act.
Source: Silesian Medical University
