Clinical medicine is defined by decisions, often complex, often made under pressure, and always consequential. Each day, clinicians must determine whether to adopt new therapies, technologies, or approaches, or to rely on established practices that have proven effective over time. Knowing when to change, what to change, and why remains one of the most challenging responsibilities in healthcare. The theme of this issue, “Innovation and Evidence-Based Practice Across Clinical Specialties,” speaks directly to this challenge. It reflects a fundamental principle of modern medicine: progress depends on the careful balance between innovation and evidence. Innovation without evidence is guesswork. Evidence without innovation means progress stops.

Post-communist countries, including those of the Western Balkans, continue to face significant public health challenges such as high non-communicable disease (NCD) burdens, workforce shortages, weak preventive services, and limited health literacy. At the same time, universities across the region are undergoing substantial transformation under European integration pressures, offering new opportunities for alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Purpose: This paper examines how universities in post-communist and Western Balkan contexts can contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by strengthening public health capacity and supporting health system reform. Design: A narrative review and conceptual analysis were conducted using academic literature, WHO and EU frameworks, regional health indicators, and higher education reform trends to identify mechanisms through which universities can advance SDG 3.Findings: Five pathways for university engagement emerged: curriculum integration of prevention and health promotion; interdisciplinary research and digital/public health innovation; community health literacy initiatives; development of healthy and sustainable campus models; and evidence-informed contributions to national health policy and SDG monitoring. Despite challenges such as limited funding, weak research infrastructure, and health workforce emigration, universities remain key actors for long-term health improvement. Research limitations: As a conceptual review, findings may not be generalisable across all institutional settings. Empirical studies are needed to assess implementation. Practical implications: The findings can guide universities and policymakers in aligning curricula, research priorities, and institutional strategies with SDG 3. Social implications: Stronger university engagement can enhance health literacy, equity, and community well-being. Originality: This paper offers an early integrated framework for how universities in post-communist regions can operationalise SDG 3.

The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of nutrition on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases among the adult Albanian population. The study included 100 individuals aged 35–85, randomly selected from two health centers, one urban and one rural, in the Durrës region. The methodology used was cross-sectional and descriptive, combining physical examination with a structured self-administered questionnaire. The results showed that 27% of women were underweight, while the majority of the population had unhealthy eating habits, with high consumption of sugars, fried foods, alcohol, and tobacco. A significant correlation was identified between nutritional status, socio-demographic factors, and the occurrence of chronic pathologies. The study concludes that malnutrition continues to be an important determinant of health risk in Albania. It recommends structured interventions for nutritional education, the promotion of balanced diets, and strengthening the role of primary care in prevention.

Goal. To investigate the effectiveness of basal-bolus insulin therapy in comparison with sliding-scale therapy in diabetic patients who underwent surgery. Materials and methods. The study involved adult patients, aged 18 to 85 years, with diabetes, diagnosed more than 3 months ago, who had scheduled or emergency surgical procedures at the Republican Clinical Hospital of Makhachkala. Patients with blood glucose levels of 150-400 mg/dl were randomly assigned to two groups: basal bolus therapy (insulin glargine and glulisine) and sliding scale therapy. The main indicators of the assessment were the average daily glucose levels and the frequency of postoperative complications. Results. The basal-bolus therapy group showed lower glucose levels and a lower incidence of wound infections compared to the SSI group. The frequency of combined adverse outcomes was significantly higher in the SSI group, which confirms the advantage of the basal-bolus approach in the surgical context. Conclusions. Basal-bolus insulin therapy provides more stable glycemic control and reduces the incidence of infectious complications in patients who have undergone surgery. It is recommended that this treatment regimen be considered to improve outcomes in inpatient patients with diabetes.

Goal. To evaluate the effect of an individualized elimination and reduction diet on metabolic and immunological parameters in women with obesity and Graves' disease. Materials and methods. The study involved 20 women aged 18 to 60 years with a diagnosis of obesity and Graves' disease. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: Group A, who received an individualized elimination diet, and group B, who followed a balanced reduction diet. The levels of TSH, fT3, fT4, antibodies to TPO and TG, as well as body mass index (BMI) were measured. Results. In group A, there was a significant decrease in TSH and TPO antibodies, as well as an increase in fT3 and fT4 levels compared with group B. There was also a more pronounced decrease in BMI in group A. Conclusions. An individualized elimination and reduction diet can lead to improved metabolic and immunological parameters in women with obesity and Graves' disease, emphasizing the effectiveness of a personalized approach in the treatment of such conditions.

Goal. To investigate the spread and seasonality of respiratory viruses among children and identify effective prevention and treatment measures. Materials and methods. The analysis of epidemiological data on the incidence of respiratory viral infections among children in various age groups has been carried out. Statistical methods of data analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness of preventive strategies were used. Results. Seasonal peaks of morbidity and the greatest vulnerability of certain age groups have been identified. The effectiveness of vaccination and preventive measures, such as hygiene and wearing masks, has been established. Conclusions. Recommendations include increased vaccination, the introduction of seasonal prevention measures, and the development of clinical protocols for treatment and diagnosis. Educational programs can raise awareness and improve outcomes. More research is needed to adapt health strategies.

Goal. To evaluate the frequency and types of complications after thyroid surgery performed at the Republican Clinical Hospital in Makhachkala, and compare the results with data from other studies. Materials and methods. In the period from 2023 to 2024, a retrospective analysis of the data of patients who underwent thyroid surgery was conducted. The analysis included information on demographic characteristics, preoperative diagnoses, types of operations performed, and the frequency of postoperative complications. All the data was published in a digital database, and standard surgical and diagnostic methods were used, including ultrasound and laryngoscopy. Results. The data of 18 patients with various forms of thyroid pathology were analyzed, of which 42% experienced temporary damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, and 8% experienced permanent damage during the first operation. Autotransplantation of the parathyroid glands made it possible to avoid cases of permanent hypoparathyroidism. The complication rate in our study is comparable to the data from the world literature. Conclusions. Total thyroidectomy is the preferred method of treating complex current cases of thyroid pathology. The preservation of the parathyroid glands and the use of modern technologies can reduce the risk of complications.

The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of forced air heating (FAW) in comparison with passive heating to prevent hypothermia and improve thermal comfort in patients during routine procedures with sedatives in the catheterization laboratory. Materials and methods. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with patients who were prescribed interventional procedures lasting more than 30 minutes using sedatives. Procedures such as percutaneous coronary interventions and operations with implantation of cardiovascular devices were included. The study involved 30 patients randomized into FAW (n=18) and passive warming (n=12) groups. The frequency of hypothermia and thermal comfort were assessed. The use of heated blankets and appliances was recorded to analyze the effectiveness of warming methods. Results. The frequency of hypothermia decreased by 14% in the FAW group compared to the passive warming group (46% vs. 60%). The body temperature in the FAW group was 0.3°C higher. The use of FAW reduced the number of cases of chills (0% vs. 4%) and improved the subjective feeling of thermal comfort (90% vs. 74%). Conclusions. FAW significantly reduces the risk of hypothermia and improves thermal comfort during sedation treatments, offering a more effective warming method compared to the passive approach. The results confirm the need to use FAW to raise standards of care in clinical practice.

The study is aimed at identifying and evaluating key ultrasound signs associated with papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid gland (PCC) to improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of the Republican Oncological Dispensary in Makhachkala. The sample included data from 24 patients (14 men and 10 women) with thyroid nodules, collected between January 2022 and September 2024. The diagnoses were confirmed by high-frequency ultrasound examination and subsequent pathoanatomic analysis. For statistical analysis, SPSS 18.0 software was used, the Student's t-test and the a2-test were used. Results. The study revealed several significant ultrasound signs of breast cancer, such as irregular node shape with χ2 = 44.065 (P < 0.0001), aspect ratio of more than 1 with χ2 = 16.284 (P < 0.0001), blurred boundaries with χ2 = 27.234 (P < 0.0001), heterogeneous hypoechoicity with χ2 = 23.724 (P < 0.0001), the presence of microcalcifications with χ2 = 31.068 (P < 0.0001), enlarged cervical lymph nodes with χ2 = 8.344 (P = 0.0050), and abundant blood supply with χ2 = 17.742 (P < 0.0001). The specificity of these signs ranged from 71.4% to 96.4%, indicating their high diagnostic value. Conclusions. The key ultrasound characteristics of thyroid nodules revealed during the study show high specificity and can significantly improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis of breast cancer. The results of this study may be useful in clinical practice to more accurately distinguish malignant nodules from benign changes, which helps to improve patient treatment tactics.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of motivational and individualized interventions in treating patients with panic disorder at the primary health care level. Materials and methods. The study was conducted from March 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024. This randomized, parallel-design trial was conducted to minimize physician impact. Participants were screened using OASIS and PHQ, and participation was confirmed through diagnostic interviews and MKB-10 checklists. The intervention group received specific CBT-based training and accompaniment. Assessment was performed at 6 and 12 months using BAI and PHQ-9. Results. The study found that the use of individualized and motivational approaches significantly increased patient adherence in the intervention group, increasing it to 80%. This indicates a more active participation of patients in the process of therapy and an increase in their motivation. In addition, there was a significant decrease in depression: PHQ-9 scores decreased from 9 to 6 at 12 months, indicating an improvement in the psycho-emotional state of the participants. These results highlight the effectiveness of implemented strategies in improving the condition of patients with panic disorder and comorbid depression. Conclusions. The effectiveness of individualized and motivational interventions was confirmed: they improved treatment adherence and reduced the severity of symptoms. Long-term observations confirmed the robustness of the effect, suggesting the importance of a comprehensive approach to panic disorder therapy at the primary health care level.