[The founding and development of day care hospitals as integral structural subunits of therapeutic and preventive care institutions].

The experience gained in the complex approach to the organization of day hospitals at curative and preventive facilities in Lvov and Lvov region is described. The problems in the delivery of in-patient care for the population formed the basis for the drafting of programme aimed at developing the network of out-patient departments of active treatment of patients. The description is given of the main components of day hospitals activities, schedule of work, indications and contra-indications for the treatment of patients. The work indicators of day hospitals of different types are provided. Highlighted is the importance of this vasically new and highly effective type of health care for the population. The data on the problem-oriented training of medical directors and physicians of day hospitals at the Faculty of Advanced Training of Physicians of the Lvov Medical Institute is provided, the emphasis being placed on the inclusion of issues on the organization of day hospital activities into the curricula for students and interns.