Dear colleagues,
It will soon be two years since I had the honor of writing the editorial for the issue of the Serbian
Journal of the Medical Chamber, published at the very end of 2023.
The inception was promising, great effort was invested, results were not lacking, and we have arrived
at issue number 21. I feel this is impressive, considering the conditions wherein the Journal was little
known, when there was little motivation, and success was far from guaranteed.
The Editorial Office, of which I am a proud member, entrusted me with this role, for which I am
grateful. I can only hope that my modest contribution to the operation and development of the Serbian
Journal of the Medical Chamber is meaningful. It is my profound belief that through this Journal, each of
us individually contributes to the further development of medical science and the medical profession –
each in our own way, with our share of scientific insight, analysis, reporting, and expertise. All of this to-
gether makes the Journal interesting, and I believe more and more readers will come to recognize that.
Allow me to present the twenty-first issue of the Journal, created through the joint effort of the Edi-
torial Office, our associates, authors, and reviewers.
This issue opens with an invited paper by our colleagues Goldner Vukov (Counties Manukau -Te
Whatu Ora, Auckland, New Zealand) and Mijalković titled “Promoting resilience and wellbeing for indi-
viduals, families, and communities in psychosocial crises”. The paper explores the dynamics of psycho-
social crises and ways to promote resilience and well-being at the individual, family, and community
levels. A review of the literature dealing with trauma as a trigger for psychosocial crises analyzes this
state of instability and danger. The authors conclude that trauma must be appropriately addressed;
otherwise, it can persist longer and lead to transgenerational and intergenerational trauma, hindering
personal, family, and societal growth and development.
Next is an original research paper by our colleagues Nedović et al., which examines the potential
use of inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors to assess balance abilities in senior adults. A total of 34
healthy participants over the age of 65 took part in the study. Balance ability was assessed using the
sensors during a 30-second semi-tandem stance. Participants over the age of 75 years showed greater body sway compared to the younger group. Thus, this sensor-based balance assessment demonstrates sensitivity in detecting subtle age-related changes, offering practical benefits in clinical and community settings.
This issue also includes four review papers.
Our colleagues Miljković and Koprivica examine the public health aspects of antibiotic misuse and
inappropriate use. This literature review includes papers published between 2010 and 2024, focusing
on the analysis of improper antibiotic use. The results show that the most common causes of inade-
quate treatment are self-medication, prescribing antibiotics without microbiological confirmation, and
poor communication between doctors and patients. An integrated approach is recommended as key to
preserving the effectiveness of existing drugs and reducing the public health burden.
In her article, Biljana Vukčević Lacković analyzes the first five years of publication of the Serbian Jour-
nal of the Medical Chamber. The article provides a concise overview and analysis of the types of papers
and topics covered in previous issues, offering insight into what the Journal brings to both readers and
authors.
Authors Petrović and Stevanović describe ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and review current multi-
disciplinary approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of DCIS based on the latest scientific findings.
Nevertheless, mammography remains the primary diagnostic method.
International author Mateusz Guziak reports on thirty years of the family medicine specialty in Po-
land, presenting a case study on the institutionalization, practice, and patient perception of family med-
icine within primary healthcare. The article begins with a description of the process of introducing the
family medicine specialty in Poland, which was part of broader healthcare system reforms aimed at
restructuring primary care. The results indicate that the family medicine specialty has gained full clinical
and academic recognition in Poland. Recommendations are given for further reforms, including im-
proved communication skills and visibility of family physicians.
Authors Jovanović, Jovanović, Milinković, Dunđerović, and Jovanović present a case report reflect-
ing the importance of preventive ultrasound diagnostics in the timely detection of rare and aggressive
thyroid cancers. The importance of precise ultrasound diagnostics is emphasized as crucial for early
detection and administration of appropriate surgical procedures in treating such aggressive forms of
disease. The case involves a female patient in whom early detection and timely treatment of micromed-
ullary thyroid carcinoma significantly changed the outcome and prognosis of the disease.
The final article in this issue, by authors Vasović, Rašić, and Mitrović, titled Sclerochoroidal calcifica-
tion mimicking choroidal osteoma: A case report, presents the case of a patient referred for evaluation of
a subretinal lesion located in the periphery of the ocular fundus. The authors conclude that sclerocho-
roidal calcifications can clinically and ultrasonographically mimic more serious intraocular conditions.
In conclusion, I once again invite all colleagues – clinicians, researchers, educators – to join us in con-
tributing to the Journal, to consider it in their work and reflections, so that together we can enrich the
Journal and make it an essential part of our continued professional efforts.
Sincerely
