Poradnia

Poradnia is a term used in Polish to describe a service point that provides professional advice and counseling, usually within healthcare, education, or social services. It can refer to a room in a hospital or clinic, a dedicated outpatient facility, or a unit within a school or municipal institution, as well as to private practices.

In healthcare, poradnie offer outpatient consultations and diagnostic assessments conducted by physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, or other specialists. They may provide preventive care, treatment planning, monitoring of chronic conditions, and referrals to other services. Types commonly named include poradnia lekarska (medical outpatient clinic) and poradnia zdrowia psychicznego or psychiatryczna (mental health outpatient clinic).

In education and social services, the term is used for centers that provide diagnostic services and counseling. For example, Poradnia psychologiczno-pedagogiczna (psychological-pedagogical counseling center) assesses learning difficulties, developmental issues, and behavioral problems in children and youths, offers counseling for students and parents, and coordinates support or therapy services, sometimes in cooperation with schools.

Organization and funding typically depend on the context. Poradnie can be part of public institutions financed by the state or local government and funded through the national health fund (NFZ) or local budgets, with some services available free of charge to eligible individuals. Private poradnie operate on a paid basis or through insurance. Access may require referral from a physician, school, or social worker, or may be open for self-referral depending on the facility and service type.