Professional Conference of the Žilina Self-Governing Region: Nurses as a Pillar of Prevention

As the opening event of the project “Network for Non-Communicable Disease Prevention in the Žilina Self-Governing Region”, a professional conference was held on May 12, 2026, focusing on the irreplaceable role of nurses, who serve as the main pillar in the prevention of noncommunicable diseases and patient education.

This professional conference, held on International Nurses’ Day, focused on prevention, outpatient care, and recognition of nurses in the Žilina Self-Governing Region.

Why nurses, specifically?

Modern medicine increasingly relies on advanced technologies. However, it is becoming clear that successful prevention of chronic diseases often begins long before medical devices come into play. Nurses are at the forefront of this process.

Nurses were deliberately chosen for the project’s kick-off meeting, as they will play a key role throughout the process as “prevention nurses.” Their task will be to pass on the knowledge they have gained and to educate other target groups. In the first phase of the project, this training will focus on teachers in preschool, elementary, and secondary schools, who can effectively promote the principles of prevention and a healthy lifestyle among children and youth.

For patients, the nurse in the outpatient clinic represents their first point of contact with the healthcare system. Thanks to their experience, they are able to detect warning signs early and identify health risks. The initial conversation with the nurse serves to provide psychological support and alleviate fear of the examination. Nurses also play a key role in patient education. They clearly explain to patients the importance of preventive checkups, the risks of cardiovascular disease, the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and the dangers of substance abuse. In this way, they motivate patients to make positive changes and effectively guide them toward the right path to prevention.

Key Themes of the Conference

In addition to the importance of prevention itself, the conference’s professional program focused on strategies for managing chronic conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Participants discussed innovations in clinical practice, including modern nursing procedures and the use of digital tools in outpatient settings. Special emphasis was placed on the development of communication skills, where active listening and effective dialogue with patients form the foundation of successful prevention. Participants were also interested in topics related to mental health, mental hygiene, and burnout prevention in outpatient care.

The professional event thus provided a deeper insight into how to combine a human-centred approach with modern nursing practices to achieve better outcomes in both prevention and treatment itself.