Via practica 5/2017

Densitometry and other preventive screenings or what other methods of preventive screenings are lacking in a general practitioner´s office

Modern times brings the advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, on the other hand, the occurrence of civilization diseases is increasing. Specialists and the general public are well-informed about risk factors (RF) of the most common cardiovascular and oncological diseases. Prevention programs focused on their early detection (e. g. diabetes, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, bowel cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer etc.) are already legally approved and implemented in practice. However, the awareness of osteoporosis and its consequences is still lagging behind cardiovascular or oncological awareness. The content of preventive examinations (PA) paid on public health insurance is regulated by Act No. 577/2004 Z. z. on the scope of healthcare reimbursed from public health insurance and payments for services connected with the provision of healthcare, as amended § 2. Of the physician`s opinion, the legal prevention should be extended mainly to liver function tests, and the two-year interval of prevention is sufficient. Professionals can see the improving preventions as a propagation of further education and motivating the patient by a health insurance company, which could make the prevention more attractive to the patients.

Keywords: preventive examination, risk factors, osteoporosis, densitometry