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Unlabelled: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in Poland. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of patients from the rural environment on the risk factors and prevention CVDs., Material and Methods: In the period from January to February 2006. one hundred and twenty patients [69 (57.5%) females and 51 (42.5%) males] from Primary Care Practice in Zabłudow living in rural areas in the vicinity of Białystok were interviewed using questionnaires developed by the authors of the work. It contained questions on demographic data (gender, age, education and residence), health status and level of knowledge about risk factors and prevention CVDs., Results: The vast majority of patients had a thorough understanding of risk factors CVDs. The least known factor is diabetes--just as the second test (55.8%) believe that it contributes to the formation of CVDs. As prophylaxis 77.5% of respondents reported a diet low in salt, and 75%--regular physical activity. Advancing our knowledge about the disease as an existing preventive recognized 70.8% of respondents. Comparing knowledge of patients with the knowledge of healthy CVDs participating in the survey stated that they know more about risk factors and prevention CVDs than the differences are statistically significant (p < 0.05). Better educated person knows more about risk factors and prevention of CVDs than the less educated people. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Examined patients living in rural areas have a wide knowledge on risk factors and prevention CVDs. This applies especially to people with higher education or with known cardiovascular diseases. People with lower education require more attention and education. Emphasis should be given to promoting information on the impact of diabetes on the development of CVDs.

Unlabelled: Different methods allowing for assessment of anticoagulation effects in patients receiving oral anticoagulants (OAC) are applied. Among them estimation of total time of international normalized ratio (INR) within the therapeutic range (time in therapeutic range--TTR) is used. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of patients about safety measures when on acenocumarol (AC) therapy as well as to measure TTR and potential impact of education provided by community nurse on TTR., Material and Methods: The study lasted for 20 months since August 2006 till March 2008. Twenty-five patients remaining under care of a family physician were interviewed about safety rules while on treatment with AC. In May 2007 an educational intervention was provided by a trained community nurse., Results: We have shown that older age was related to lower number of correct responses to questions (p < 0.064). Individuals with higher number of correct responses measured their INR more frequently, statistically significant difference (p < 0.045). TTR of all subjects before education was 48% and increased after education to 52%. We have shown that changes of TTR after education were related to education, age group and gender. The biggest improvement of TTR was observed among people younger than 75 years of age and those with higher education (not statistically significant differences)., Conclusions: Education has biggest effect in persons under 75 years and with higher education. Older persons and those less educated require longer education and monitoring by health care professionals to maintain INR in the therapeutic range. Patients with better knowledge about DAK--monitor INR more frequently and their anticoagulation is better controlled.

Unlabelled: Patients' satisfaction is the subject of interest of many researchers, which is reflected in a number of studies devoted to this problem, published in Polish medical journals. This indicates high interest in the subject and is a prerequisite for the outcome analysis., Aim: Presentation of the findings of Polish empirical studies on patients' satisfaction, determination which elements of health care contribute to patients' satisfaction and which cause dissatisfaction and an attempt to elucidate the causes of high patients' satisfaction., Material and Methods: The study used the method of a literature review. Polish Medical Bibliography of 1991-2004 was used as the subject basis for the analysis. Using the key words "patient's satisfaction" 119 reports were found. Of that number all empirical studies (50) were included in the analysis., Results: The studies on patients' satisfaction focus on the quality of hospital care (78%). Fewer studies refer to primary care (20%). A majority of patients reported high satisfaction with health care., Conclusions: The studies on satisfaction do not have a reliable theoretical support. A qualitative approach that would help find out what is really important from the patient's point of view should be more widely employed.

The article reviews literature concerning patients' expectations for medical care. The concept of expectations, typology and research methods are discussed. The author indicates the need for in-depth investigations to determine how patients define their expectations. Qualitative techniques are of help. The standardization of terminology will enable a comparison of patients' expectations in Poland with patients' expectations in other countries.