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Psychological care is now a standard at oncology wards. Every cancer ward or hospital which has signed a contract for the provision of health care services with the National Health Fund (NFZ) must employ a psychologist.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) – the most common type of arrhythmia – has been diagnosed in approximately 400 thousand Poles. According to estimates by the Polish Cardiac Society (PTK), in 20 years’ time this number might double. Early diagnosis of this type of arrhythmia is crucial in stroke prevention.

The organisation of the process of donating and transplanting organs is taken care of by transplant coordinators. Although their numbers in Poland are steadily rising, there is still not enough – one for every two million people. Meanwhile, there are six transplant coordinators for every million people in Spain.

For over two years voivodeship commissions adjudicating on medical incidents have been examining cases in which medical errors might have been made. If they find that indeed a medical error has been made, the patient – without resorting to the court – may obtain damages from the hospital as soon as in a few months.

The grounds for treatment under the National Health Fund is the common, mandatory health insurance. The monthly premium provides access to free-of-charge health care benefits in the medical centres contracted to the Fund.

There are 42 teaching hospitals in Poland. They were established by medical universities, which means that these centres not only treat patients, but also train future physicians. That’s why you can expect examination by both a student and a professor here.

The “Budzik" Clinic is a hospital for children who fell into a coma after a serious brain injury; it operates in collaboration with the Children’s Memorial Health Institute. The clinic was established at the initiative of the “Akogo" Foundation in July 2013. Over seven months of its existence, seven children treated in the clinic woke up from a coma.

The hospital emergency room, ER, is an element of the medical rescue system. Its purpose is to admit people with sudden health risks or after traumas. The reality, however, is different – ER patients often include people who should be cared for by e.g. night medical centres.

Polish patients do not know their rights. Studies show that only 53% of Poles are aware that such rights even exist. This is why the role of patient associations is so important, as they assist in the enforcement of these rights.

In Poland, the profession of feldsher (medical assistant) has not been taught for many years, but those who have obtained their authorisations in the past can still practice it. According to the Polish Chamber of Physicians and Dentists, there are 253 professionally active and 656 professionally inactive feldshers in Poland.

Nurses who have graduated from former 5-year medical high schools or 2-year post-secondary nursing schools may complement their qualifications through free-of-charge bridging courses under an EU project implemented by the Ministry of Health.

Residency is one of the ways of receiving specialist education by a resident physician. Recruitment is conducted twice a year. However, the number of places is limited.