Vol 24, No 2 (2025)

BACKGROUND: The population of the Republic of Belarus belongs to the demographically old type, and with the increase in average life expectancy, the trend of population aging is expected to persist. An objective assessment will help identify reserves for improving quality of life and fully realize the potential of individuals aged 60 years and older.

AIM: The work aimed to analyze sex-related and territorial (urban vs rural) differences in quality of life, using the population of the Grodno Region aged 60 years and older as an example.

METHODS: Based on a representative database of the Grodno Region, an analysis of quality of life among individuals aged 60+ was performed, taking into account sex and place of residence. Descriptive, parametric, and non-parametric statistical methods were applied.

RESULTS: The overall quality of life score was 64.48% ± 0.9% in men and 64.13% ± 0.63% in women (p > 0.05 for sex-related differences). Urban residents rated their quality of life higher (64.77% ± 0.61%) compared to rural residents (63.24% ± 0.97%), which was due to a larger proportion of individuals with higher scores and a smaller proportion with average scores of perceived quality of life. The differences were mainly associated with the domains of Physical and Psychological Well-being and Self-perception, to a lesser extent with Social Well-being, whereas Microsocial Support showed no differences between urban and rural residents. The domain Physical and Psychological Well-being demonstrated the lowest values (95% CI 61.52% ± 0.55%), without gender differences but with lower scores among rural residents: 60.47% ± 1.04% vs 62.05% ± 0.64% in urban residents. The Self-perception domain values were 64.89% ± 0.59% in urban residents and 62.91% ± 1.0% in rural residents.

CONCLUSION: The absence of sex-related differences in perceived quality of life in old age indicates equality between men and women regarding factors influencing subjective well-being. Lower overall quality of life scores among rural residents require detailed analysis of underlying causes. It is reasonable to assume that improving self-perception among individuals aged 60+ is possible through the creation of micro- and macro-social environments that promote physical independence and autonomy. In addition to state support, measures of social partnership are necessary. Marketing strategies in Belarusian society should increasingly target the older consumer, whose potential must be maximized under conditions of demographic aging.

Chronic diseases, whose burden is regarded as one of the major challenges for national healthcare systems, significantly affect quality of life and contribute to the formation of vital limitations in daily life. Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases are forced to live with a long-term and severe illness; some symptoms persist even during clinical remission and negatively affect social relationships, as well as personal, professional, and everyday life. This study aimed to examine the vital limitations of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases based on scientific data. A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. Relevant publications were identified through the PubMed and eLIBRARY.RU databases for the period 2001–2024. The final analysis included 54 publications selected by keywords: соматические и социальные ограничения при воспалительных заболеваниях кишечника / somatic and social limitations in inflammatory bowel diseases, качество жизни / quality of life, бремя хронических заболеваний / the burden of chronic diseases, as well as by reference lists of retrieved articles. Inclusion criteria: original studies, literature reviews, and meta-analyses containing data on vital limitations in inflammatory bowel diseases. Case reports and expert opinions were excluded. Vital limitations of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases were examined from the perspective of the sociology of everyday life, where they are interpreted as barriers to daily living, and the sociology of medicine, which addresses the social perception of health, life with a chronic illness, and public attitudes toward the patient. Research studies highlight vital limitations arising in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases or treatment complications, encompassing various aspects of daily functioning. Given their impact on quality of life and clinical prognosis, these limitations should be considered in the development of a continuum of integrated medical and social care for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

BACKGROUND: In 2011, new standards of medical birth criteria were adopted in Russia, corresponding to the World Health Organization recommendations of 1975. Newborns with extremely low birth weight are at high risk of developing disabling conditions and experiencing reduced overall quality of life.

AIM: The work aimed to analyze pediatricians’ opinions on issues related to the birth of extremely low birth weight infants.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2023–2024 in medical organizations of Saratov using an author-designed questionnaire. A total of 106 pediatricians with over 5 years of professional experience participated.

RESULTS: The study addressed decision-making regarding the need for resuscitation of extremely low birth weight infants and the permissibility of withdrawing life-support systems in cases of severe disabling conditions.

The majority of pediatricians (64.7%) disagreed with the current birth criteria. A total of 32.7% of respondents opposed resuscitative efforts for such newborns. Most participants (62.3%) reported never facing unfounded accusations of negligent homicide of newborns, which they attributed to the specifics of their work. Nearly half (46.7%) of respondents believed that the survival of extremely low birth weight infants results in a sharp deterioration of pediatric population health indicators.

CONCLUSION: Most pediatricians disagree with the current birth criteria. Their opinions are shaped by the uniquely high level of professional responsibility, the complexity of decision-making, unpredictable outcomes, and experiences of unjust accusations in the death of extremely low birth weight infants. The respondents emphasized the necessity for both parents to participate in decision-making regarding resuscitation, palliative care, and withdrawal of life-support systems in the event of disabling conditions in extremely low birth weight infants.

BACKGROUND: At present, both theorists and practitioners show growing interest in studying the improvement of medical organizations’ efficiency through the enhancement of human resource policy. It should be noted that effective staff performance in solving current tasks does not always ensure the sustainable long-term development of a medical organization. The available scientific data lacks studies on human resource policy in sustainable medical organizations, which determined the relevance of this work.

AIM: The work aimed to describe a model for improving human resource policy in a sustainable medical organization under current conditions.

METHODS: The study of human resource policy in a sustainable medical organization was conducted at Novosibirsk State Medical University during the period 2016–2024. The research was based on medical organizations of various ownership forms that had achieved their long-term goals over a period of three or more years. The sociological survey included 625 managers of medical organizations.

RESULTS: The analysis showed that many managers are concerned about the effectiveness of human resource policy, but not all management models contribute to enhancing the sustainability potential of a medical organization in the long term. Modern human resource policy tools commonly used in sustainable medical organizations include: strengthening coordination of employees’ work across departments; creating a favorable psychological climate within the team; improving workplace equipment; establishing a personnel reserve; and enhancing the efficiency of remuneration.

CONCLUSION: To achieve the long-term goals of a medical organization, it is necessary to develop and improve three key areas of activity that directly affect the efficiency of human resource utilization and, consequently, the achievement of the organization’s strategic objectives: monitoring and analysis of key performance indicators of staff and the organization as a whole; continuous and systematic improvement of processes within the medical organization; and the creation of an effective system of communication with both internal and external environments of the medical organization.

International experience shows that medical tourism is one of the most dynamically developing areas in healthcare and the economy. In the Russian Federation, this segment has significant growth potential and is recognized as one of the priority areas of development, which is reflected in the regulatory framework and strategic documents of the country’s social policy. The study aimed to examine the theoretical and methodological foundations of development, as well as mechanisms of state support and regulation of domestic medical tourism in the Russian Federation.

The study was conducted at Sechenov University and the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation between November 2024 and March 2025. It included a content analysis of relevant scientific sources (n = 104) and regulatory acts. The main analytical methods used were the hermeneutic approach and data grouping.

The analysis of the development of domestic medical tourism in Russia demonstrated that the medical and organizational advantages of receiving medical care in the format of a trip are determined by the high quality, state-of-the-art technological infrastructure, and unified standards applied by specialists in regional medical organizations, as well as by continuity of care within regional healthcare systems. The economic efficiency of such trips is shaped by the price competitiveness of services, cost optimization, and stimulating the development of related industries through their organization. Logistic factors also positively influence demand for domestic medical tourism: territorial accessibility, cultural identity, and minimal linguistic and administrative barriers ensure convenient transfers and seamless communication in the “physician–patient” relationship. However, a number of institutional and infrastructural limitations remain, primarily related to the need to improve the regulatory, human resource policy, service, and informational components of domestic medical tourism in the Russian Federation.

The study established that, in the context of growing global demand for specialized medical services and transformation of consumer preferences, the medical tourism market shows a steady growth trend. Despite the current shortcomings of the Russian Federation’s legislative framework in the medical tourism area, potential opportunities for further development of domestic medical tourism in Russia were identified, framing it as a complex phenomenon that combines medical care with recreational opportunities and contributes both to innovative approaches in healthcare organization and to regional economic development.

This article analyzes the structure of food consumption by the population of Russia. Adequate and balanced nutrition is the foundation of a long and healthy life, which makes food provision in sufficient quantities particularly important at present, when one of the goals of Russia’s socio-economic development is to increase average life expectancy to 80 years by 2030. Particular attention should also be paid to the economic accessibility of food, which is directly related to household income levels. The rise in prices of common food products is driven by high inflation. At the same time, significant income disparities result in corresponding disparities in consumption levels. Populations with lower incomes tend to purchase lower-priced products, which often leads to a decline in food quality and nutritional value. Another important aspect is adherence to recommendations for a balanced daily diet, which directly affects both quality of life and life expectancy. The analysis showed that higher income levels are associated with increased consumption of animal products, fish, vegetables, fruits, and berries. At the same time, the diets of all population groups studied were found to be unbalanced.

On August 28, 2025, Andrey V. Reshetnikov, a highly regarded scientist and educator, an Honored Healthcare Worker of the Russian Federation, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Sciences in Medicine and Sociology, and Professor, celebrated his 65th birthday. The article presents a scientific and biographical essay dedicated to the 65th anniversary of Andrey V. Reshetnikov. The work highlights the scientist’s professional journey from practicing physician to renowned academic figure and founder of the Russian School of Medical Sociology. A particular focus is placed on the scientific achievements of Andrey V. Reshetnikov, including the development of a methodology for medical and sociological research, creation of a system for long-term healthcare development planning, and establishment of socioeconomic protection for the population. The analysis provides an overview of his contributions to higher medical education, scientific personnel training, and the creation of foundational scientific works. The article emphasizes the significance of the honoree’s scientific and pedagogical contributions to advancing Russian healthcare and medical science.