Human Resource Management as an Area of Changes in a Healthcare Institution.

Purpose: The underlying objective of the paper was to investigate the areas that require changes in human resource management in healthcare institutions. The practical objective of the study was to formulate recommendations targeted at the management staff of a healthcare institution, which allow to increase the adaptability and development capacity of medical personnel with the use of appropriate instruments and methods of human resource management. Patients and Methods: The quantitative research was conducted among 652 patients using the services of primary health care clinics located in the Silesian province in Poland, in 2019. The share of women in the research sample was 61%, and men - 39%. 11% of the respondents were students, 27% - people of retirement age, and 62% were economically active. An anonymous survey questionnaire was used. Calculations were performed using Statistica software. Mann-Whitney U-test and correlation analysis using Gamma (Γ) coefficients were used. Results: The results of the empirical research showed that the respondents positively assessed most of the examined elements (over 70% of positive opinions). Negative opinions did not exceed the error threshold and amounted up to 5%. The presented results allowed to conclude that the expectations and preferences of patients should be constantly monitored, have an impact on the management of medical personnel and imply introducing changes in the weakest areas. Conclusion: The conducted research made it possible to identify the needs and expectations of patients and to develop possible solutions to improve human resource management in healthcare entities. In order to improve the operating conditions of the clinic, managers should constantly monitor patient satisfaction and, if necessary, introduce changes to raise service standards. This will allow early detection of shortcomings and the introduction of necessary changes in the clinic.

Socioeconomic determinants of environmental efficiency: the case of the European Union.

The study's main objective is to assess and evaluate the models of socioeconomic determinants of environmental efficiency in the European Union countries from 2010 to 2018. The two-step data envelopment analysis is implemented, using both constant and variable returns to scale assumption. Moreover, the results of the model of environmental efficiency determinants from four areas-tourism, circular economy, energy and resources use and quality of life-are presented. Based on our findings, it can be concluded that it is necessary to develop the concept of sustainable tourism because the enormous increase in foreign tourists harms environmental efficiency. It is also necessary to gradually transform economies into less energy-intensive towards knowledge-based economies. The positive impact of measures related to the pain of the circular economy was also demonstrated. In conclusion, we present several recommendations for EU policies concerning the current economic and energy situation.

Efficiency and Productivity Differences in Healthcare Systems: The Case of the European Union.

This study aims to identify significant differences between the countries of the European Union, follow the course of achievement of the convergence objectives, assess developments against specific common characteristics of the countries, and propose possible measures that could improve the state of health in the EU as a whole by implementing standard cohesion policies. To compare efficiency and productivity among the states of the European Union, we used data envelopment analysis (DEA) and the Malmquist productivity index (MPI). On the basis of our findings, even countries that joined the EU later achieve high technical efficiency values. However, it should be noted that it is in these countries that technical efficiency values tend to decline. The values of the Malmquist productivity index broadly indicate stagnation in western countries and productivity decline in central and eastern European countries. This decline is mainly due to a negative shift in the technological frontier in these countries.

Characterization of Fe(III) Adsorption onto Zeolite and Bentonite.

In this study, the adsorption of Fe(III) from aqueous solution on zeolite and bentonite was investigated by combining batch adsorption technique, Atomic adsorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. Although iron is commonly found in water and is an essential bioelement, many industrial processes require efficient removal of iron from water. Two types of zeolite and two types of bentonite were used. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacities for removal of Fe (III) by Zeolite Micro 20, Zeolite Micro 50, blue bentonite, and brown bentonite were 10.19, 9.73, 11.64, and 16.65 mg.g-1, respectively. Based on the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses of the raw samples and the solid residues after sorption at low and high initial Fe concentrations, the Fe content is different in the surface layer and in the bulk of the material. In the case of lower initial Fe concentration (200 mg.dm-3), more than 95% of Fe is adsorbed in the surface layer. In the case of higher initial Fe concentration (4000 mg.dm-3), only about 45% and 61% of Fe is adsorbent in the surface layer of zeolite and bentonite, respectively; the rest is adsorbed in deeper layers.

The Circular Model in Disposal with Municipal Waste. A Case Study of Slovakia.

Mineral resources are life and driving force of the European Union. It is gaining awareness not only in the EU dependent on imports, but also in the world. In the context of the growing population and the growing demands of economies for natural resources, this type of material management has a significant negative impact on the environment. The main aim of the study was to justify the model of circular economy on the national level, based on the disparities between the regions of Slovak republic. To meet the objective, mostly one-factor analysis was implemented. The circular model, which is based on the partial replacement of primary raw materials by secondary ones, should, on the one hand, limit the depletion of natural resources and, on the other hand, reduce the amount of waste produced. The presented work focuses on the issue of sustainable development, which is closely related to the circular economy, and then explains the circular economy model, including the differences from the linear arrangement and possible obstacles to its implementation for the specific conditions of the Slovak republic. From the results, it is clear that the proposed circular model would be helpful to improve the inefficiencies and disparities on the regional and national level.

How adults and children perceive the impact of social policies connected to unemployment on well-being in the household: a concept mapping approach.

OBJECTIVES: Social policies help people to overcome various unfavourable living situations, such as unemployment, which may lead to health inequalities. The aim of this study is to examine how adults and children perceive the impact of social policies connected to unemployment on well-being in the household, and whether their views differ. METHODS: We obtained data from 123 stakeholders in Slovakia, 96 adults and 27 children aged 11-15 years. We used concept mapping, based on qualitative data collection and quantitative data analysis. RESULTS: We obtained four clusters related to: children and education; current workforce; disadvantaged groups; labour office support. Adults rated the current workforce as the most important and urgent, and children the disadvantaged groups. Contrasts were largest on the disadvantaged groups and on combining family life and working abroad which children rated as very important and urgent but adults less so. CONCLUSIONS: Stakeholders had many perceptions, which may help to improve social policies. Adults were more concerned about work, and children were more so about inequalities. In general, adults were more practical and individualistic, and children, more emphatic and idealistic.

Antifungal activity of essential oils against selected terverticillate penicillia.

The aim of this study was to screen 15 essential oils of selected plant species, viz. Lavandula angustifolia, Carum carvi, Pinus mungo var. pulmilio, Mentha piperita, Chamomilla recutita L., Pinus sylvestris, Satureia hortensis L., Origanum vulgare L., Pimpinella anisum, Rosmarinus officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L., Abietis albia etheroleum, Chamomilla recutita L. Rausch, Thymus vulgaris L., Origanum vulgare L. for antifungal activity against five Penicillium species: Penicillium brevicompactum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium expansum and Penicillium griseofulvum. The method used for screening included the disc diffusion method. The study points out the wide spectrum of antifungal activity of essential oils against Penicillium fungi. There were five essential oils of the 15 mentioned above which showed a hopeful antifungal activity: Pimpinella anisum, Chamomilla recutita L., Thymus vulgaris, Origanum vulgare L. The most hopeful antifungal activity and killing effect against all tested penicillia was found to be Origanum vulgare L. and Pimpinella anisum. The lowest level of antifungal activity was demonstrated by the oils Pinus mungo var. pulmilio, Salvia officinalis L., Abietis albia etheroleum, Chamomilla recutita L. Rausch, Rosmarinus officinalis.

Demographic challenges across the European Union Member States.

The Member States of the European Union are undergoing major demographic changes; these changes are slow but significant. The demographic picture in the EU-27 is clearer: population growth is mainly the result of immigration, fertility is far below the replacement ratio, and the population is growing older, which will be a key demographic challenge in many Member States. All the actual demographic trends will have consequences for health care systems.