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There is a minor shortage of doctors in Slovenia, but possible job applicants from abroad are finding that the barriers to entering the medical profession are steep. Potential candidates from the former Yugoslav republics would seem to be an obvious source for Slovenia to tap - just 15 years ago, Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia and the languages are closely related. But far from encouraging immigration, some say Slovenia has tightened restrictions even more. Michael Manske reports:

While some tourists take the spa waters in Hungary others are heading to neighbouring Slovakia for a little tooth tourism. The country's dentists are finding that foreigners can fill the gap in their incomes without biting into their own budget. Anca Dragu reports:

Polish doctors seem to have a good reputation all over Europe - except maybe in Poland. Even before Polish accession to the EU, Polish doctors could work out special deals to work abroad. The trend has continued, with more and more doctors working all over Europe or even in the Middle East. Five percent of doctors are estimated to have left the country, and according to the Polish Ministry of Health, as many as 20% of the physicians in Poland are willing to leave for work abroad. Will the doctors all leave the sinking ship? Gabriel Stille

Prague's Charles University was founded in 1348, making it one of the oldest universities in Europe. Since the fall of communism it has been welcoming ever increasing numbers of students from elsewhere on the continent, and further afield. An English-language degree course in medicine has been particularly successful, as Radio Prague's Ian Willoughby has been finding out.

Hungary is richly endowed with hot medicinal waters. Under about 80 percent of its territory, you can find thermal springs with temperatures ranging from 50 to 90 degrees Celsius. From Roman times these springs have been used for their curative powers. Sandor Lazko reports on why people are crossing borders to bathe in Hungary:

The Brain Drain of trained medical staff is being felt right across Central Europe. In Hungary, for instance, one consultant estimates there are three thousand vacancies in the health care field. So, while Western Europe is benefiting Central Europe is suffering. Blocking the medical brain drain is not easy when pay and conditions at home are poor but an Austrian-American initiative is doing its best to help. Kerry Skyring went along to a Vienna General Hospital to find out how...

Our modern technology driven lives can be stressful. Many people choose to work long hours and neglect their physical well being. But there is a penalty to be paid for those long hours at the computer and in Slovenia working days have, for many, become longer and more stressful. Little wonder then that medical professionals are reporting an increase in serious back pain. Ksenija Samardzija Matul from Radio Slovenia International investigates the link between back pain and lifestyle:

In traditional East European societies being overweight once symbolised wealth and success. In Poland, for instance, a fat child meant a healthy and happy child. Of course during the food shortages under communism getting fat was a bit of a challenge. But in the new free market reality, extra kilos are no longer a virtue. In Poland nearly twenty per cent of the population suffers from obesity. That's comparable with western societies but it's alarming when compared to the condition of Poles two generations back. Michal Zajac reports from

Cardio vascular diseases claim 50 thousand lives in Hungary every year. And experts believe that lifestyle factors - lack of exercise and poor diet - are making that figure much higher than it needs to be. Cardiologist, Dr Lajos Matos, is involved in a number of research projects into cardio-vascular disease. He told Gyorgy Jakobi about the main lifestyle factors leading to heart disease:

For many Czechs - told all too often they smoke, drink, and or eat far too unhealthily - there is another option: to take their life into their own hands and get in shape. Getting exercise in the Czech Republic has never been easier, with an increasing number of modern and well-equipped fitness centres offering more choice and better services. Since the late 90s a centres operated by either by Czech-run or by internationally-owned companies have transformed the fitness landscape - especially in Prague - offering locals more opportunities than ever