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Always smiling, full of energy and extraordinary enthusiasm. Not only for everyday work, but also for finding solutions to new challenges. For prof. Joanna Narbutt has no medical cases. There are sick people who need help and sometimes just a little attention.

Prof. related dr hab. n. med. Joanna Narbutt is a specialist in the field of dermatology and venereology, a national consultant in the field of dermatology and venereology, as well as the head of the Department of Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology and Oncology of the Medical University in Łódź.

Under pressure and accident

- I never wanted to study medicine, says Professor Joanna Narbutt. - I wanted to study English and become a journalist after graduation. But both my parents were doctors. My mother is an anesthesiologist and my father is a cardiac surgeon. Simply put, I was forced to study at the medical academy. This was my mother's decision because she couldn't imagine that I could do anything else. Well, those were different times and some decisions were not discussed with the parents. Inside, I was a bit rebellious and after my first year of medicine it occurred to me to move to the law, but it didn't. After the second year, I started to get really interested in medicine and it was all downhill. But I must also honestly say that I have never regretted that I graduated from medicine.

The choice of specialization in dermatology was also due to chance. Somewhere in the middle of her studies, Professor Joanna Narbutt became fascinated by immunology. She wanted to become an immunologist. Unfortunately, after graduation, during the internship, it turned out that it was not possible to start working in immunology. But there was a chance to get a PhD in the dermatology department, where there was an immunodermatology lab. The head of the department was prof. Anna Sysa-Jędrzejowska. This is how the adventure with dermatology began.

Fascination

- The most interesting thing about dermatology is that it combines knowledge from many fields of medicine - explains the professor. - Here you have to be a bit of an internist, a bit of a cardiologist, a bit of a gastroenterologist and so on. The changes that appear on the skin can be a symptom of many internal diseases, rheumatic and infectious diseases. Jokingly put, dermatologists are often GPs for many patients because they areBased on the clinical picture, we can lead the patient to a completely different diagnosis than skin disease.

Dermatology is interdisciplinary. There are very strong links between infectious diseases and skin lesions. It is similar in the case of diabetology and hematology. We also have to be a bit of surgeons, because we have to remove some changes. In addition, we use many drugs, the effects of which we must know well. So, the wider the range of our knowledge, the more effectively we can help patients.

What is the hardest part? Diagnosis. This is because we have very few tools. Often times we rely on our eyes. What is important is the appearance of the change, when it occurred, where, or it subsides when it intensifies. And also histopathological examinations after taking the specimen. There is little laboratory research in dermatology to help make a diagnosis. We cannot order additional research and then call - bingo. It's this disease, I know how to treat it. In dermatology, the experience and extensive knowledge of a doctor are extremely important.

My mentors

- I was very lucky in my life that I could learn from the best - says the professor. - This is the aforementioned prof. Anna Sysa-Jędrzejowska, who was my boss in dermatology. The second person to whom I owe a lot was, unfortunately, already deceased, prof. Anastazy Omulecki, an outstanding doctor and researcher. Professor Omulecki had a holistic approach to medicine. He was an extraordinary man, he always read books, listened to classical music, and was very knowledgeable. And dermatology was the whole world for the professor. Both my mentors have had a great influence on what a doctor I am and how I view my patients. From them I learned not only dermatology, but also a very broad outlook on the world, cultivating my passions.

Find the golden mean

For a doctor, the most important thing is to help the patient as best he can without harming him. It happens that the doctor has to make some risky therapeutic decisions, because drugs have their side effects. Sometimes a new condition can be induced by accident. Finding the golden mean is the primary goal of a doctor's job. All this to achieve the goal of healing the patient.

- I hate laziness at work - says prof. Narbutt. - Flashing from responsibilities and counting on the fact that maybe they will forget that I was supposed to do something, or that someone else would do it. The same applies to everyday life. And of course, dishonesty makes me angry. Lack of comradeship is also a trait that I do not tolerate. Unfortunately, you can oftennotice such behavior. Personally, I think we should help each other because then it's easier to live. And this applies not only to work.

Not only medicine

In 2022, prof. Joanna Narbutt began postgraduate studies in art history. This is an old passion that can now be realized.

- Someone may think that I miss classes and therefore the decision to continue my studies - says the professor with a smile. - But it's not like that. Knowledge of the history of art allows you to look at the world more broadly, to become a humanist, to consolidate good models. Besides, I believe that you can't just have job responsibilities and run from one job to another. Doing so burns us out and can become dangerous. Poorly understood diligence can torture your co-workers and yourself. Therefore, when I have free time, I eagerly read books. I read whatever I can get my hands on. But my favorite thing to do is read biographies. Recently, I read the Biography of Jonasz Kofta. I was amazed. I like to spend time with my friends and acquaintances. I am a social person.

The current situation, the coronavirus pandemic, showed us life from a side we did not know. Suddenly, we cannot move freely, go abroad, go to a gallery. Everything turned upside down. When it comes to such situations, situations that we have never experienced before, it may turn out that work is not our whole life. Suddenly, we found out how important family relationships are, and how we need a hobby that will not let boredom out of the way. It may sound trivial, but it is worth focusing on family, on friends, on your own interests. I don't know if the current situation will change all of us, but I hope that at least some of it will give you food for thought to reflect on what is really important.

Nice to be appreciated

Scientific interests of prof. Joanna Narbutt focuses on psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, photoprotection, urticaria, and allergies. Numerous publications devoted to these issues can be found in medical journals of national and international scope.

The professor is a member of the Polish Dermatological Society, European Society for Dermatological Research, European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, American Academy of Dermatology.

He is also a member of the Qualifying Team for Biological Treatment of Psoriasis established by the National He alth Fund. She is also a laureate of many prestigious national and international scholarships, incl. American Academy of Dermatology, European Society for Dermatological Research; L'OREAL scholarship for Women and Science, PAN awards.

Recentlyhas been appreciated as an effective he alth manager.

- I am very pleased that my work and efforts have been noticed - the professor modestly admits. - I think that each of us needs to hear that his work makes sense, that it is important, and if it translates into the recognition of colleagues, it is even nicer. Working for the sake of applause seems unethical. I like to work and delve into individual issues. Maybe that's why I'm not complaining that I have to prepare myself for a lecture at the university, for a speech at a conference. It turns me on all the time.

Close to patients

Prof. Joanna Narbutt is known to be interested in the fate of her patients. He always finds time for them and, most of all, understands their needs.

- I don't distance myself from the patient - he says. - I try to treat everyone as if I myself would like to be treated by doctors. It is not popular, but I give my pupils a mobile phone number, e-mail address and tell them directly that they can call when something bad or disturbing happens. I am not offended that someone asks for advice on Saturday or Sunday. Fortunately, we do not have terminal patients in dermatology, but there are people who suffer from severe psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis or allergies. It is difficult to talk to them, especially when you have to say that the disease will be with them for the rest of their lives, because even psoriasis is still not cured.

It is difficult for a young man with psoriasis to explain that he will have to take medication regularly, that he must change his lifestyle. Believe me, it is not easy, especially since there is a common belief that when there is something on the skin, it is enough to apply it and the problem will disappear. Besides, psoriasis is a very stigmatizing disease. It can lead to severe depression. All this must be borne in mind. Balance every word, because the teenage patient does not want to accept the fact that he is sick at all. And when she finds out it's for life, she rejects the treatment, sometimes she gets terribly angry. I think that such conversations with the sick are, in terms of difficulty, comparable to those when you need to communicate very bad news.

A frequent and underestimated disease

On his DERMOblog, prof. Joanna Narbutt wrote:

"Recently, one of the journalists asked me if there was any disease that I consider as the greatest challenge. At first I wanted to answer that for a doctor every disease is a challenge and we are obliged to help in every case. one disease that has always interested me and I actually sometimes think of it as the greatest professional challenge.time, it is the subject of clinical trials that I have been conducting for years with prof. Aleksandra Lesiak, it is she who makes me fight for reimbursement of drugs and implementation of new therapeutic programs. I often talk about it in the media and write scientific publications about it for the Polish and international medical press. Psoriasis! Psoriasis is a challenge for me! "

- I do not withdraw from these words - says the professor. - Psoriasis is a common disease that colleagues in the trade de alt 100 or even 200 years ago. It is incurable to this day. But the worst part was that for many years we did not have the tools to properly control the disease. Patients had to use topical medications. They greased each other for hours, soaked in various things, and there was no great effect. Due to psoriasis, they often went on pensions and did not start a family. But about 12 years ago, there was a huge breakthrough in therapy. We have drugs that work on the immune system in general. But they also need to change their lifestyle and eat properly. New drugs bring tremendous relief to patients, they completely change their lives. Patients don't have to be ashamed of what they look like. This is a huge change. I am glad to see a patient who comes to his appointment in a short-sleeved shirt. You can also see that during the new therapy, patients change mentally and radiate directly.

Professor Narbutt says directly about psoriasis - it is my beloved disease. I feel best in it, which does not mean, of course, that I am surprised by the form of the disease or the patient's reaction to treatment.

From a female perspective

Eight years ago, together with prof. Aleksandra Lesiak and Monika Kierstan, MD, prof. Joanna Narbutt created the Dermoclinic - a modern clinic of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. Three ladies, three temperaments, three personalities.

DERMOblog was also created, where they wrote:

"Although science is our passion and obsession, all three of us definitely differ from the stereotype of a scientist who is more interested in medical cases than the man himself and the world around us. We want to help our patients, because their he alth is our priority, but also we derive great joy from the fact that we are mothers and wives. We are not afraid of difficult cases or new challenges and we are always fully committed to solving them. We have clinical experience, many years of medical practice, scientific publications, but also female friendship. The blog that we have launched is an invitation to you (read women) to our world - both professional and private.You about skin diseases, share our thoughts on the issues of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, and talk about yourself - about our passions, interests, dreams and pleasures. "

- From the female perspective, the world looks a bit different - says the professor. - I think it's a bit less confusing. In my private life, happiness brings me the happiness of my loved ones, and especially of my children. Unfortunately, they both live in Warsaw, and I would prefer to have them with me. Like every mom. When they come home, I feel completely safe. Dyzio, a seven-year-old pug, whose kingdom is the couch, also adds charm to everyday life. And professionally? Well … I already told you.

So maybe one more entry from DERMOblog.

"When I see an improvement in the he alth of my patients in clinical trials and when I witness their first visit to the pool or beach, I know that my work makes sense, that every attempt to implement a new clinical treatment program, that every conversation about the necessity to reimburse drugs give thousands of people hope for treatment, and thus for a decent and normal life. "

About the authorAnna Jarosz A journalist who has been involved in popularizing he alth education for over 40 years. Winner of many competitions for journalists dealing with medicine and he alth. She received, among others The "Golden OTIS" Trust Award in the "Media and He alth" category, St. Kamil awarded on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, twice the "Crystal Pen" in the national competition for journalists promoting he alth, and many awards and distinctions in competitions for the "Medical Journalist of the Year" organized by the Polish Association of Journalists for He alth.

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Dermatology