scholarly journals Physician’s use of sickness certification guidelines: a nationwide survey of 13 750 physicians in different types of clinics in Sweden

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e051555
Author(s):  
Veronica Svärd ◽  
Kristina Alexanderson
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Work Capacity ◽  
Occupational Health Services ◽  
Sickness Certification ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Different Types

ObjectivesTo explore physicians’ experiences of using the national sickness certification guidelines introduced in 2007 and the types of information they used, in general and in different types of clinics.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingMost physicians working in Sweden in 2017.ParticipantsA questionnaire was sent to 34 718 physicians; 54% responded. Analyses were based on answers from the 13 750 physicians who had sick leave cases.Outcome measuresTo what extent the guidelines were used and what type of information from them that was used.ResultsTen years after the sickness certification guidelines were introduced in Sweden, half of the physicians used them at least once a month. About 40% of physicians in primary healthcare and occupational health services used the guidelines every week. The type of information used varied; 53% used recommendations about duration and 29% about degree of sick leave. Using information about function and activity/work capacity, respectively, was more common within primary healthcare (37% and 38%), psychiatry (42% and 42%), and occupational health services (35% and 41%), and less common in surgery and orthopaedic clinics (12% and 12%) who more often used information about duration (48% and 53%). Moreover, 10% stated that the guidelines were very, and 24% fairly problematic to apply. Half (47%) stated that the guidelines facilitated their contacts with patients and 29% that they improved quality in their management of sick leave cases. More non-specialists, compared with specialists, found that the guidelines facilitated contacts with patients (OR 3.28, 95% CI 3.04 to 3.55).ConclusionsThe majority of the physicians used the sickness certification guidelines, although this varied with type of clinic. Half stated that the guidelines facilitated patient contacts. Yet, some found it problematic to apply the guidelines. Further development of the guidelines is warranted as well as more knowledge about them among physicians.

scholarly journals Physicians’ use of information from sickness certification guidelines: A nationwide Swedish survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Svärd ◽  
K Alexanderson
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sick Leave ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Work Capacity ◽  
Occupational Health Services ◽  
Sickness Certification ◽  
Part Time

Abstract Background Sickness certification guidelines, introduced in Sweden 2007, are to support physician’s work with sickness certification of patients. Our aim was to explore the clinical importance of the guidelines, by studying what kind of information from guidelines the physicians use, and if this differ between type of clinics. Methods Data from a questionnaire sent to all 34 718 physicians in Sweden in 2017 were used (54% response rate). The study is based on answers from the 13 750 physicians who had sick-leave consultations. Results Half of the respondents used the guidelines at least once a month, and this was most common in primary healthcare (72%), occupational health services (64%) and psychiatry (61%). The type of information used differed; 53% used recommendations about suggested sick-leave duration and 29% about degree (full- or part-time) of sickness absence. Using information about function respectively work capacity was more common within psychiatry (42 and 42%), primary healthcare (37 and 38%) and occupational health services (35 and 41%) and less common among physicians in surgery and orthopaedic clinics (12 and 12%) who more often used information about duration (48 and 53%). In total, 74% reported that the guidelines to some extent were problematic to apply while 29% reported that they improved the quality of how they handled sickness certification tasks. Half (47%) experienced that the guidelines facilitated their contacts with patients. Conclusions The use of sickness certification guidelines varied between type of clinic and a majority experienced to some extent that the guidelines were problematic to apply. Further studies are needed to assess what information physicians in different settings need and what developments of the guidelines that are warranted. Key messages Half of the physicians used the sickness certification guidelines every month, but the type of information used varied with type of clinical setting. As many as half of the physicians stated that the sickness certification guidelines facilitated their contacts with patients, but a majority found them somewhat problematic to apply.

scholarly journals Technology driven integration of occupational health services into primary healthcare settings

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 2421
Author(s):  
M. Mohan Kumar ◽  
Manisha Ruikar
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Occupational Health Services ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Auxiliary Nurse ◽  
Working Age ◽  
Nurse Midwives ◽  
Growing Economy ◽  
Fatal Injuries

India, a growing economy has population exceeding 1.21 billion. Of this more than 65.5% people belong to the working age group. Total workers have doubled during 1981-2011, an increase in both organized and unorganized sectors. India contributes 1/5th of non-fatal injuries, half of fatal injuries, 1/5th of occupational diseases. Early identification and appropriate management of occupational morbidities is very much possible at primary healthcare settings. The deficit of Factory Medical Officers in India is approximately 60% and hence factory workers are likely to seek primary healthcare settings for their ill-health. But doctors are neither sensitized nor trained even to suspect occupation as a cause. Thus, integration of occupational health services into primary healthcare is the need of the hour. Technology may be adopted to train not only medical officers but nurses, auxiliary nurse midwives and other healthcare workers to identify and manage occupational health problems in a comprehensive manner. 

scholarly journals Accessing Occupational Health Services in the Southern African Development Community Region

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6767
Author(s):  
Masilu Daniel Masekameni ◽  
Dingani Moyo ◽  
Norman Khoza ◽  
Chimwemwe Chamdimba
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Southern African Development Community ◽  
World Health ◽  
Occupational Health Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
African Development ◽  
Safety And Health

Only 15% of the global population has access to occupational safety and health services. In Africa, only 5% of employees working from major establishments have access to occupational health services (OHS). Access to primary health care (PHC) services is addressed in many settings and inclusion of OHS in these facilities might increase efficiency in preventing occupational diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries aiming at assessing the availability of OHS at PHC facilities and the organization of OHS. We conducted a literature review to assess the provision and organization of OHS services. In addition to the review, a total of 23 doctors from Zambia were interviewed using questionnaires in order to determine the availability of OHS and training. Consultations with heads of ministries were done in four SADC countries. Results showed that in the SADC region, OHS are fragmented and lack a comprehensive approach. In addition, out of 23 PHC facilities, only two (13%) provided occupational health and PHC. However, OHS provided at PHC facilities were limited to TB screening and audiometric testing. Our study showed a huge inadequacy of trained occupational health practitioners. This study supports the World Health Organization’s advocacy to integrate OHS at the PHC level.

scholarly journals Partial Ideas for Improving the Legal Regulation of Assessment of Competence to Work

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 19-36
Author(s):  
Lenka Scheu ◽  
Martin Štefko
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Work Capacity ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Occupational Health Services ◽  
Medical Report ◽  
Medical Reports ◽  
Assessment Of Competence

This paper deals with medical examination of employee’s ability to work. Although from a legislative-technical point of view, this regulation is considered to be successful, in practice it causes major problems in the area of assessment care, which is evidenced in particular by the case law. Referencing to practice, we can state that the idea of the occupational health services provider as professional assistant of the employer in providing for the protection of employees’ occupational health has not taken hold at all. Employers justifiably ask why they should pay for a medical report giving them no legal certainty. Employers, on the other hand, want to pay for services that give them a solid basis for further action against employees. From the analysed regulations, it is clear that the issue of health assessment and medical reports remains in some respects still gaping, both in terms of the nature of the medical report and in terms of accepting the lack of work capacity of providers of occupational health services.

scholarly journals Accessing Occupational Health Services in the Southern African Development Community Region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masilu Masekameni ◽  
Dingani Moyo ◽  
Norman Khoza ◽  
Chimwemwe Chamdimba
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Occupational Health Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Health Organization

Only 15% of the global population has access to occupational safety and health services. In Africa only 5% of employees working from major establishments, have access to occupational health services (OHS). Access to primary health care (PHC) services is addressed in many settings and inclusion of OHS in these facilities might increase efficiency in preventing occupational diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four SADC countries aiming at assessing the availability of OHS at PHC facilities and the organization of OHS. We conducted a literature review to assess the provision and organization of OHS services. In addition to the review, a total of 23 doctors from PHC facilities were interviewed using questionnaires in order to determine the availability of OHS and training. Consultations with heads of ministries were done in four SADC countries. Results showed that in the SADC region, OHS are fragmented and lack a comprehensive approach. In addition, out of 23 PHC facilities only two (13%) provided occupational health and PHC. However, OHS provided at PHC facilities were limited to TB screening and audiometric testing. Our study showed a huge inadequacy of trained occupational health practitioners. This study supports the World Health Organization’s advocacy of integrating OHS at PHC level.

scholarly journals Employers’ Perceptions of Work Ability Knowledge Management in Collaboration with Occupational Health Services

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Sari Nissinen ◽  
Satu Soini ◽  
Helena Palmgren
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Health Information Exchange ◽  
Work Capacity ◽  
Knowledge Flows ◽  
Occupational Health Services ◽  
Keywords Health Information

Abstract Good collaboration between employers and occupational health services (OHS) requires smoothly flowing information exchange, which can be used to improve work ability (WA) management. Our aim was to examine WA knowledge management in the collaboration between workplaces and OHS. The data were collected via telephone interviews in which 154 employers participated. The results showed that the relevant WA data were available when needed and, in the form needed. The most relevant data were assessments of work capacity, suspected occupational diseases, health and work hazards, and workload factors. WA data enables the identification of people whose WA is at risk and the coordination of measures to support their coping at work or return to work after sick leave. We also identified the main needs for knowledge and current practices of WA knowledge management. Further research is needed, especially on the bottlenecks in knowledge flows. Keywords: Health information exchange, Knowledge Management, Medical records, Occupational health services, Workplace.

337. Occupational Health Services Showing Effect on Finnish Dairy Farms

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Kalliokoski ◽  
J. Kangas ◽  
M. Kotimaa ◽  
K. Louhelainen
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Occupational Health Services

scholarly journals Improvement of the module for occupational diseases in the structure of occupational health record

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Iancheva ◽  
T Kundurzhiev ◽  
N Tzacheva ◽  
L Hristova
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Occupational Disease ◽  
Occupational Diseases ◽  
National Level ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Occupational Health Services ◽  
Health Record ◽  
Disease Module

Abstract The study is based on the National Science Program 'eHealth in Bulgaria (e-Health)', funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. Partnership Contract No. D-01-200/16.11.2018 Issue Occupational health is closely linked to public health and health system. In Bulgaria there are many software products related to the registration and reporting of occupational health. Description of the Problem It is necessary to study all the determinants of occupational health, including the risks of diseases and accidents in the occupational environment, social and individual factors. The establishment of electronic systems for registering and monitoring both the health status of each worker and the possible hazards in the work environment is associated with the introduction and use of the occupational health record of each worker. Results The methodology for improving the module for occupational diseases in the structure of the occupational health record in Bulgaria has been developed. The classifications are in compliance with the legislation in the country and the requirements of the developing Eurostat methodology for European statistics on occupational diseases are applied. The occupational health record will serve both employers and physicians working in Occupational Health Services. Lessons The occupational disease module in the structure of the occupational health record will contribute to the statistical comparability of occupational disease data at regional and national level. Not only will the registration of the harmful factors of the working environment and the diseases related to the work process, but also the introduction of timely measures to ensure good occupational and public health. Key messages Through the occupational disease module, the structure of the occupational health record introduces the possibility of taking adequate measures to ensure good occupational health. The occupational health record will serve both employers and physicians working in Occupational Health Services.

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