Care for body and mind. And important prevention.

Preventing problems

The turning point came in 2002 when she received an offer from the Škoda plant in Kvasiny. The car factory was growing rapidly, and the increasing workforce made it necessary to expand the plant’s medical services. “Initially there was only a general practitioner who worked part-time for Škoda, but as the company expanded a full-time doctor was needed,” Parmová explains.

Jana Parmová

Moving from a hospital to a corporate environment was a big change for her, but also an opportunity to use her skills in a different way. “I saw the offer as an interesting way to combine medicine with the working environment,” she says. Since 2012, she has worked as senior physician responsible for occupational health services in both Kvasiny and Mladá Boleslav, where Škoda has its headquarters. In addition to managing a team of doctors and nurses, she is involved in the day-to-day work in the medical surgery, regular health checks and assessing the medical fitness of employees.

“We look after the health of a huge number of people, and that is a big responsibility,” Jana Parmová says. The move to a corporate environment has also allowed her to focus on preventive medicine and help prevent work-related health problems, which she sees as an important part of her job.

Věra Prokorátová

It is in this field that she collaborates with Věra Prokorátová, a specialist in preventive care. She too had always been drawn to health care. “Ever since I was a child I admired nurses in uniform,” she recalls. She studied at a medical secondary school and began her career as a nurse at the Klaudián Hospital in Mladá Boleslav. An opportunity arose at the Czech carmaker in 2000, when she succeeded in a recruitment competition to join the nursing team.

A full-blown polyclinic

The Škoda Polyclinic where Jana Parmová works is a medical facility comparable to standard polyclinics in a large town. “We have general practitioners and specialists in cardiology, ophthalmology, ENT, diabetes, dentistry and gynaecology,” she points out.

Věra Prokorátová and Jana Parmová

One key advantage is the proximity of health care to employees. The Mladá Boleslav and Kvasiny plants also have occupational health clinics, which focus on preventive examinations and health assessments. In addition, the polyclinic in Mladá Boleslav partners with the nearby Klaudián Hospital, where laboratory analyses are carried out. “But our patients don’t have to go far – we have our own blood-testing facilities, an X-ray and modern equipment for specialised examinations,” she adds.

Everything necessary for thorough examinations

Jana Parmová’s working day usually revolves around occupational medical examinations and the assessment of employees’ medical fitness. “This involves regular check-ups based on the work they do and the risks they’re exposed to,” she explains. Employees who work in hazardous environments or on shifts undergo more frequent examinations, while office workers have a check-up every four to six years.

Blood tests are one part of Vera Prokorátová’s daily routine. “I do morning blood sampling, which is a nursing job that I like to stay involved in,” she explains. On top of that, she manages the preparation of prevention campaigns to alert employees to various problems that need attention, as well as employee training, which also covers first aid.

Typical problems the two nurses encounter are musculoskeletal problems such as back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow. “Working in a car factory is physically demanding, especially on assembly lines where we often have to deal with localised muscle strain,” they explain. To diagnose these problems, they use modern examination methods such as electromyography (EMG) or audiometry. Employees who work with vibrating tools undergo plethysmography – an examination that monitors blood circulation in the hands after exposure to vibration. 

Věra Prokorátová overseeing a Covid-19 vaccination session for Škoda employees during the pandemic.

“What makes me happiest is seeing that our care is having a positive effect. And I have a great team of colleagues without whom this wouldn’t be possible,” Parmová says. The pandemic period was a challenge, but it also showed how well her team can function in stressful situations. “Covid was a big test for all of us, but thanks to my colleagues we made it through. That’s what I enjoy about my job – having people around me who pull together.”

A stronger focus on mental health

Over the years, the requirements placed on health care have been changing, in life in general and in the automobile industry. “We are experiencing a shift from physically demanding jobs to those that are more mentally taxing,” says Parmová. Increasingly, problems such as stress, burnout syndrome and insomnia are being encountered in the office. “Nowadays, there is a much stronger focus on employees’ mental health. Škoda is a pioneer in this respect,” she says, alluding to the fact that the company offers consultations with psychotherapists and courses focused on mental well-being.

Jana Parmová

Telemedicine also plays an important role. Employees can use a 24/7 service called Online Doctor in the event of health problems. Via chat or video call, the doctor will examine them and, if necessary, directly issue an electronic prescription or a recommendation for further examination. “We are currently exploring ways to use various modern technologies or mobile apps to assess health conditions. This is the direction in which healthcare is evolving, and we want to be a frontrunner,” Parmová says.

Besides her expertise, Parmová brings an enthusiasm to her work that she demonstrates through her personal approach to each and every employee. “I have a great team that supports me in difficult times. Together we solve problems and find the best ways to ensure our employees are healthy. When I see that our work is meaningful and that people leave us happy and healthy, that is the biggest reward for me,” Jana Parmová concludes.