Medical examination is a set of medical services provided for the purposes of medical prevention, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, education of citizens’ responsibility for their health, identification of symptoms and signs of precancerous and tumor diseases, detection of non-communicable diseases at early stages, and determination of groups for medical observation.
The main objective of the medical examination is to identify risk factors for the development of chronic non-communicable diseases, symptoms and signs of precancerous and tumor diseases, to provide preventive counseling to citizens on the correction (elimination) of risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases and a healthy lifestyle, early detection of chronic non-communicable diseases, primary registration of patient data and treatment.
The following groups of dispensary observation have been identified:
- 18 to 39 years of age (medical examination is carried out once every 3 years);
- 40 years of age and older (medical examination is carried out annually).
During the medical examination, medical workers of the medical examination room carry out the following activities:
- analysis of medical documents, including the results of medical examinations and interventions over time;
- medical examination of the patient with assessment of symptoms and signs of precancerous and tumorous diseases;
- study the family history of chronic non-communicable diseases, regularity of physical activity, and tobacco use;
- conduct anthropometry (height, weight, waist circumference) with calculation of body mass index;
- blood pressure measurement;
- measurement of intraocular pressure (for persons over 40 years of age);
- calculation of the risk of cardiovascular diseases according to the SCORE school (for people over 40 years old); examination of the skin (color, presence of rash, additional formations);
- examination of the patient’s oral cavity, tongue and pharynx (examination and palpation of the lips, oral mucosa, cheeks, floor of the mouth, gums, tongue, tonsils and arches, posterior pharyngeal wall);
- examination and palpation of the lymph nodes in the neck area;
- examination and palpation of the mammary glands;
- examination and assessment of symptoms and signs of diseases by localization: nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, larynx, gastrointestinal tract, bladder, prostate gland.
The following examinations are carried out:
- electrocardiogram;
- X-ray fluorographic examination of the chest organs;
- laboratory tests: complete blood count, complete urine analysis, blood glucose level, blood biochemistry.
Additional diagnostics are prescribed for early detection of precancerous and tumor diseases in accordance with the age group of patients:
- for women – mammography (49-58 years old – once every 3 years); PAP test (21-29 years old – once every 3 years); HPV (30-39 years old – once every 6 years; 40-60 years old – once every 5 years);
- for men – determination of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) once every 2 years (at the age of 50-65 years).
All patients are referred for examination to a dental specialist or an otolaryngologist once every 3 years.
Based on the results of the medical examination and survey, an examination is carried out by a general practitioner, and, if indicated, by other specialist doctors; if necessary, an extended examination is prescribed.
After completion of the medical examination, if necessary, the patient is given an extract from the medical documents for submission to the employer at the place of work (study).
According to Article 103 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Belarus, the following guarantees are provided to employees undergoing medical examination:
- workers aged 18-39 years, when undergoing a medical examination, have the right to be released from work for one working day once every three years with retention of wages;
- employees who have reached the age of 40, with the exception of persons specified in part three of the above-mentioned article, when undergoing a medical examination, have the right to be released from work for one working day once a year with retention of wages;
- Employees who have reached the generally established retirement age, as well as during the five years prior to reaching such age, upon undergoing a medical examination, have the right to be released from work for two working days once a year with retention of wages.
Medical examinations are carried out in the dispensary offices of all outpatient healthcare institutions in the city: by appointment, without an appointment, when independently contacting the outpatient clinic for its implementation, during preventive examinations, as well as when providing medical care.
