Background: Patient's rights law is intended to secure good medical practice, but it can also serve to improve understanding between patients and medical staff if both were aware of their rights.

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the attitudes of Lithuanian public health professionals towards health inequality monitoring in municipalities.The survey was conducted in public health bureaus (PHBs) and administrations of municipalities in March 2015. All employees of PHBs, all municipal doctors and all employees of health departments were invited to participate in the study (N=318; response rate, 47.2%).The study participants had positive attitudes towards the importance of health inequality monitoring at the municipal level, meanwhile systematic health inequality monitoring was assessed moderately. The majority of the interviewed professionals working at PHBs and municipalities (91.4% and 88.2%, respectively) declared that health indicators were monitored and analysed in their institutions. The respondents acknowledged the importance of routine monitoring of health indicators for assessment of inequalities, but these indicators were not monitored systematically in every municipality and PHB. Public health professionals identified the following measures for better health inequality monitoring: to strengthen intersectoral collaboration, formulate specific objectives of health programmes, promote actions in reducing health inequalities.ConclusionsPublic health professionals working at the municipal level outlined the importance of monitoring and reducing health inequalities. However, health inequality monitoring at the municipal level was considered as insufficient.

Background The role of public health specialists (PHS) working at schools is continually growing to assure better health behavior and disease prevention in adolescent age. The aim of the study: to evaluate the functionality of health care activities performed by PHS at schools. Methods Anonymous survey of PHS was conducted in April 2018. Participants of the survey represent PHS working at schools in Lithuania. In total 179 forms where distributed, 139 were included into analysis, response rate - 77.7%. The data were analyzed by using χ2 criterion and the statistical significance p. Results PHS stated that past 12 months, bullying was the least important problem for children, but according to the prior plans prevention programs for it were organized most often (40.3%) and sports activity program - least often (21.6%), even though it’s the most relevant children health problem these days. 52.3% of PHS claims that schoolchildren learn the most about keeping good health from them. 44.6% of PHS noted that they aren’t able to do all their responsibilities during working hours, because paperwork takes up most of their time, and too little time remains for communication with the school community. One in three thinks, that they provide services for too many schools, one in seven assumes, that they have excessive requirements. Those who have longer work experience and too much workload were more unsatisfied with work in comparison with those with less work experience and proper workload (p < 0.05). Ability to communicate, knowledge and initiative are marked as the most important features, whilst work experience - as the least important, to pursue required activities of PHS. Conclusions Health improvement activities of PHS working at schools do not fully meet the most important health problems of schoolchildren. PHS with longer experience and higher workload indicated more problems regarding their work compared with those that have less work experience and accurate workload. Key messages The assessment of the opinion of school community’s on the most important children’s health issues should be analyzed prior to preparing health activities plans in municipality level. Workload of public health specialists working at schools should be optimized according to health activities plans.

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