Preventive activities in the office of a family physician

S obzirom na položaj liječnika obiteljske medicine u zdravstvenom sustavu i njegov prvi i trajni kontakt s građanima koji su ga izabrali te s lokalnom zajednicom u kojoj djeluje, razumljivo je kako liječniku obiteljske medicine preventivni rad čini neodvojivi dio redovitog rada u njegovoj praksi. Skrb za bolesnika u obiteljskoj medicini je kompleksna i proteže se od intervencija u determinantama zdravlja do palijativne skrbi. Preventivne aktivnosti su prisutne u svakom dijelu tog procesa. Trajnost skrbi za bolesnika omogućuje liječniku obiteljske medicine poznavanje fizičkog, psihološkog i emocionalnog stanja bolesnika te njegovo obiteljsko i socijalno okružje stoga je liječnik obiteljske medicine u povoljnom položaju za primjenjivanje mjera promicanja zdravlja, prevencije bolesti i ranog otkrivanja bolesti. Uspješnost provedenih preventivnih mjera odlikuje se očuvanim godinama života, očuvanom kvalitetom života i radnom sposobnosti pojedinca, te smanjivanjem ukupnih troškova zdravstvene zaštite.Given the position of the family medicine physician in the health system and his first and permanent contact with the citizens who have chosen him/her and with the local community in which he/she works, it is understandable that the preventive work is an integral part of a regular work in his/her practice. Patient care in family medicine is complex and ranges from interventions in health determinants to palliative care. Preventive activities are present in every part of this process. Sustainability of patient care allows the family doctor to know the physical, psychological and emotional state of the patient and his/her family and social environment. Therefore, the family doctor is in a favorable position to apply the procedure of health promotion, disease prevention and early detection. The success of the implemented preventive measures is characterized by preserved years of life, preserved quality of life and working ability of the individual, and a reduction in the total cost of health care