Workers' attitude toward the occupational physician.

This article presents research findings concerning workers' perception and opinion of the occupational health service (OHS) in three different Dutch companies. Beside comparing the effect of company characteristics, we were able to relate a worker's evaluation of the OHS to employee variables such as health status. We conclude that workers see clear differences in the tasks and functions of the occupational physician compared with those of the curative physician. Relations with and dependence on management is considered to be self-evident. A negative evaluation of the OHS is mainly because of unclarity and uncertainty as to how the occupational physician combines his/her responsibility toward individual workers with his/her responsibility toward the company. Suggestions are made for improvement of the reputation and credibility of the OHS.