Wiedza Medyczna

Dear Readers,

It is my pleasure to present the first 2026 issue of Wiedza Medyczna. The articles included in this issue address a broad range of topics that shape contemporary medical practice and the functioning of healthcare systems. They share a common theme: the need to base decisions on reliable evidence, to adapt medicine responsibly to changing conditions, and to continuously develop professional competencies.

The issue opens with a study devoted to the implementation of colorectal cancer screening in Poland. Based on data from the National Health Fund, the authors demonstrate that the proportion of the eligible population covered by screening colonoscopy remains low, at just under 16%. They also highlight substantial regional variation. These findings show that the mere availability of a screening programme does not guarantee its effective use and that successful prevention also requires the identification of barriers to participation, health education, and targeted action in regions with the lowest uptake.

The next article focuses on telemedicine, which has become a permanent part of clinical practice. The authors analyse the boundaries of physicians’ responsibility in conditions of limited access to clinical information and the tension between patient autonomy and the physician’s duty of due care. Teleconsultation may improve access to healthcare, but it does not relieve physicians of the obligation to assess whether a remote consultation is sufficient in a given case. The decision to continue a teleconsultation or to refer the patient for an in-person visit is itself an important component of clinical decision-making.

Two further articles focus on the quality of postgraduate medical education. The first evaluates mandatory courses in public health, disease prevention and health promotion delivered by the School of Public Health at the Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education. The results indicate high ratings for course organisation and lecturers, while also pointing to the need for an even stronger link between course content and everyday clinical practice. Case-based learning, workshops and teaching focused on solving real-life problems are becoming increasingly important.

A similar perspective is presented in the analysis of mandatory courses in medical law and medical certification. Both areas are integral to contemporary medical practice. Every medical decision has not only a diagnostic and therapeutic dimension, but also legal, organisational and social consequences. The high ratings of the courses and lecturers confirm the practical importance of these competencies and the need to continuously adapt educational programmes to the real needs of physicians.

I hope that the first 2026 issue of Wiedza Medyczna will provide you with valuable data and analyses, while also encouraging reflection on the development of modern, responsible and knowledge-based medicine.

I wish you an interesting and inspiring read.

Professor Wojciech Bik, MD, PhD
Editor-in-Chief, Wiedza Medyczna