"My Health" instead of "Prevention 40+". What's changing and why is it important?

- "My Health is a program different from Prevention 40+. It's a pro-patient program, focused on action, not just on collecting results," stresses Dr. Michal Sutkowski, president-elect of the College of Family Physicians in Poland.

Until now, many patients did not take further steps after taking the tests from "Prevention 40+." - The results often ended up on the shelf, and the patient considered himself healthy just because he did the tests. This should not be the case - and it will not be the case in the "My Health" program. - says the doctor.

Who is the "My Health" program for?

The program is aimed at all people over the age of 20 - a novelty. Those aged 20-49 will be able to take a health check-up once every 5 years, while those 49+ will be able to take a health check-up once every 3 years.

How it works - step by step:

1. Health questionnaire
   The patient fills out the questionnaire: on his/her own in the IKP or My IKP application, or with the help of a medical professional - a doctor, nurse, midwife or a so-called health preventionist.
   The questionnaire includes anthropometric data, environmental history, family history, lifestyle, addictions, immunization information and mental health signals.
2. Research package
   A research referral is generated based on the survey.

The basic package includes:

• blood count,
• glucose,
• creatinine (with eGFR),
• Lipidogram (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides),
• TSH (thyrotropic hormone),
• general urinalysis.

The supplemental package depends on the survey data and may include, among other things:

• ALAT - alanine aminotransferase,
• ASPAT - aspartate aminotransferase,
• GGTP - gammaglutamyltranspeptidase,
• Total PSA in men,
• anti-HCV,
• Lipoprotein (a) (performed as part of the program once in a lifetime).

- Unlike the previous program, the examinations will not be carried out at special points, but at primary care clinics. The law has changed - this is a guaranteed benefit," adds Dr. Sutkowski.

Individual Health Plan

After analyzing the results, the patient will receive a plan including:

• Cardiovascular disease risk assessment (e.g., SCORE2, SCORE2 Diabetes scales),
• assessing the risk of cognitive impairment (Mini-Cog scale for people 60+),
• medical recommendations,
• Information on vaccination and prevention,
• suggestions for further tests (e.g., colonoscopy, gastroscopy, FIT-OC - if not performed previously).

Educational tips

Depending on the patient's needs, he or she can take two pieces of advice such as:

There is no need to rush, but it is worth applying

- The program is just getting off the ground, and there are minor technical problems, but we encourage people to participate, especially those who have not previously taken advantage of the 40+ Prevention tests, Dr. Sutkowski stresses.

If such tests have been performed recently, the patient will be able to benefit from the "My Health" program after a year. However, the most important thing is not to stop at one test - the goal is prevention based on analysis, plan and action.