WBJ: Medicover has been investing in innovation for years. What would you say is the biggest game changer in preventive healthcare today?
Wioletta Januszczyk: Without question, it is personalization and precision medicine. Thanks to genomics, data analytics and artificial intelligence, we can not only diagnose diseases earlier, but also tailor treatment precisely to the individual patient. For example, our genetic tests allow us to assess the risk of developing cancer, cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes – long before any symptoms appear.
So, the future lies in technology and the continued development of genetics?
Digitization is both the present and the future. Managing medical data already allows for greater coherence, personalization and optimization of treatment pathways. Tools such as EHR (electronic health records), telemedicine, mobile applications and AI algorithms serve both the system and the patient.
However, technology alone is not enough. While we have more capabilities than ever before, we are also seeing a growing sense of disorientation within the healthcare system. Patients often do not understand their own care pathways. Not every issue requires a specialist consultation. The role of nurses, midwives, physiotherapists and clinical dietitians is increasing, yet their potential remains underutilized.
Offering coordinated care and individualized treatment pathways is a real challenge for the Polish healthcare system – and it is precisely the area on which we are currently focusing most intensively, leveraging the full potential available within the Medicover Group.
Coordinated care certainly sounds like a dream come true for many patients – relieving them of the burden of navigating the system alone.
It is indeed a tremendous support, but we must also recognize that a significant responsibility for health lies with the patient. As early as the 1970s, Marc Lalonde pointed out that healthcare systems account for only 10% of our overall health. The rest is shaped by lifestyle, environment and behavior.
Only through patient engagement can we tackle the growing number of lifestyle-related diseases. Cardiovascular conditions, neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders are truly the plague of our times. By 2035, more than 35% of adult men and 25% of women in Poland will be affected by obesity. Among children and adolescents, the figures are equally alarming.
Education in healthy eating habits, combined with coordinated treatment pathways involving dietitians, obesity specialists and psychologists, gives us a real opportunity to reverse this trend. This is a key area of focus across the entire Medicover Group.
Were these statistics the driving force behind the creation of the educational initiative “Health Ritual”? What does this concept mean in practice?
Absolutely. We knew that delivering education on prevention in an accessible and engaging form – particularly through formats suited to social media – was the right direction. Our approach is based on the belief that health is built not in the doctor’s office, but at home, on our plates, in our minds and in our relationships.
Daily rituals – such as physical activity, healthy nutrition, sleep and mindfulness – have a tangible impact on preventing disease, slowing its progression and reducing complications. That is why at Medicover we do not simply treat illnesses – we support health where it is truly created.
Could you share your own “golden rule”? What are your personal health rituals?
We are all different, which means each of us will have a slightly different Health Ritual. On our channels, we provide numerous tips on how to build one. For me, this includes daily physical activity – both strength training and Pilates – balanced nutrition, and quality time for myself and those close to me. Additionally, I prioritize 7-8 hours of sleep, which is the best prescription for longevity and stress reduction, as well as year-round supplementation of vitamin D3 and omega-3.
But above all, the most important thing is awareness – understanding that health is a process.
