The Role of Adolescent Therapist in the Preparation of the Defense Potential of the Country

The article presents data on morphofunctional characteristics of adolescence, the current state of health of preconscription youth in Ukraine. There are described the functional responsibilities of adolescent therapists, the specificity of working with adolescents, the importance of professional training of specialists. Measures to prepare young people for military service are of particular importance. Preparing the premilitary age youth for urgent military service is complex and necessarily includes physical improvement and therapeutic work. Its goal is detection of diseases, treatment and rehabilitation to improve the suitability of young people for military service. Today, there are negative indicators of health level and, in particular, the reduction of availability to serve in the army. At the same time, there is a reduction of adolescent services in a number of regions of Ukraine. Availability of staff positions of adolescent therapists in general in Ukraine is less than 50 %. The number of occupied posts is reduced every year. These data underscore the importance of retaining the position of specialists in adolescent medicine during health reform. Work with preconscription youth is complex, specific, requires experience, knowledge and time. Currently, the head of the public health institution may change the staff of some structural units. The head doctors of primary health care have possibility to save or restore the positions of adolescent therapists.