AIMS: In Finland, 91% of employer-arranged occupational health services (OHS) include primary care for employees. Occupational health (OH) physicians and OH nurses carry the main responsibility for primary care in OHS. This study analyses work- and health-related factors associated with primary care visits to OH physicians and OH nurses. METHODS: This population-based cross-sectional survey encompassed 1636 randomly selected working employees aged 25-64 covered by OHS which included primary care. The associations between factors and visits during the previous 6 months were tested by Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of employees who visited OH physicians or OH nurses was 57%. Men visited OH nurses more often than women, but the number of visits to OH physicians was similar. Long-standing illnesses impairing work ability, work-related symptoms, and type of OHS provision were associated with visits to both OH physicians and nurses. Moderate psychological stress was associated with visits to OH physicians. Among men, the requirement of obtaining a sick-leave certificate on the first day of absence was associated with visits. Less possibilities to influence one's work was associated with visits to OH nurses, and among women also to OH physicians. Poor support from supervisors and co-workers had non-significant or inverse associations. CONCLUSIONS: The wide use of OHS and both the type and similarities between factors associated with visits may signify that both OH physicians and OH nurses are likely to encounter work-related health problems through primary care in OHS.
AIMS: In Finland, 91% of employer-arranged occupational health services (OHS) include primary care for employees. Occupational health (OH) physicians and OH nurses carry the main responsibility for primary care in OHS. This study analyses work- and health-related factors associated with primary care visits to OH physicians and OH nurses. METHODS: This population-based cross-sectional survey encompassed 1636 randomly selected working employees aged 25-64 covered by OHS which included primary care. The associations between factors and visits during the previous 6 months were tested by Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of employees who visited OH physicians or OH nurses was 57%. Men visited OH nurses more often than women, but the number of visits to OH physicians was similar. Long-standing illnesses impairing work ability, work-related symptoms, and type of OHS provision were associated with visits to both OH physicians and nurses. Moderate psychological stress was associated with visits to OH physicians. Among men, the requirement of obtaining a sick-leave certificate on the first day of absence was associated with visits. Less possibilities to influence one's work was associated with visits to OH nurses, and among women also to OH physicians. Poor support from supervisors and co-workers had non-significant or inverse associations. CONCLUSIONS: The wide use of OHS and both the type and similarities between factors associated with visits may signify that both OH physicians and OH nurses are likely to encounter work-related health problems through primary care in OHS.
Authors: Annukka Ikonen; Kimmo Räsänen; Pirjo Manninen; Maria Rautio; Päivi Husman; Anneli Ojajärvi; Pirkko Alha; Kaj Husman Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2012-05-06 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Tiia T M Reho; Salla A Atkins; Nina Talola; Markku P T Sumanen; Mervi Viljamaa; Jukka Uitti Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-02-19 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Tiia T M Reho; Salla A Atkins; Nina Talola; Markku P T Sumanen; Mervi Viljamaa; Jukka Uitti Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2020-05-24 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: J Rantonen; J Karppinen; A Vehtari; S Luoto; E Viikari-Juntura; M Hupli; A Malmivaara; S Taimela Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2016-04-12 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Hilla Sumanen; Jaakko Harkko; Kustaa Piha; Olli Pietilainen; Ossi Rahkonen; Anne Kouvonen Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-11-27 Impact factor: 2.692