INTRODUCTION: Primary care is frequently integrated in Finnish occupational health services (OHS). This study examines the frequency of work-related health problems in occupational health (OH) physicians' consultations for primary care and associations between health problems and interventions carried out by OH physicians. METHODS: OH physicians assessed the health problems of 651 consecutive visits in a private OHS unit. The health problem was regarded as work-related if it was caused or aggravated by work, or involved impaired work ability. Interventions carried out by OH physicians were analysed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The main health problem was caused either partially or mainly by work or symptoms were worsened by work (27%), or symptoms impaired work ability (52%). Musculoskeletal and mental disorders were the main work-related reasons for visits. In two-thirds of the cases of mental health problems, work caused or worsened symptoms, and the majority of long sickness absences were issued due to these problems. OH physicians carried out interventions concerning work or workplace in 21% of visits. Mental disorders were associated most strongly (OR 7.23, 95% CI 3.93-13.32) with interventions. The strongest association (OR 16.09, 95% CI 9.29-27.87) with work-related visits was, when the health problem was both work-induced and impaired work ability. CONCLUSIONS: Work-related health problems comprise a considerable part of Finnish OH physicians' work. OH physicians play an important role in early treatment, in the prevention of disability, and in interventions aimed at workplaces based on the knowledge they get through primary care in OHS.
INTRODUCTION: Primary care is frequently integrated in Finnish occupational health services (OHS). This study examines the frequency of work-related health problems in occupational health (OH) physicians' consultations for primary care and associations between health problems and interventions carried out by OH physicians. METHODS: OH physicians assessed the health problems of 651 consecutive visits in a private OHS unit. The health problem was regarded as work-related if it was caused or aggravated by work, or involved impaired work ability. Interventions carried out by OH physicians were analysed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The main health problem was caused either partially or mainly by work or symptoms were worsened by work (27%), or symptoms impaired work ability (52%). Musculoskeletal and mental disorders were the main work-related reasons for visits. In two-thirds of the cases of mental health problems, work caused or worsened symptoms, and the majority of long sickness absences were issued due to these problems. OH physicians carried out interventions concerning work or workplace in 21% of visits. Mental disorders were associated most strongly (OR 7.23, 95% CI 3.93-13.32) with interventions. The strongest association (OR 16.09, 95% CI 9.29-27.87) with work-related visits was, when the health problem was both work-induced and impaired work ability. CONCLUSIONS: Work-related health problems comprise a considerable part of Finnish OH physicians' work. OH physicians play an important role in early treatment, in the prevention of disability, and in interventions aimed at workplaces based on the knowledge they get through primary care in OHS.
Authors: Mika Kivimäki; Pauli Forma; Juhani Wikström; Tuomo Halmeenmäki; Jaana Pentti; Marko Elovainio; Jussi Vahtera Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: Jiro Moriguchi; Masayuki Ikeda; Sonoko Sakuragi; Kazuo Takeda; Takashi Muto; Toshiaki Higashi; André N H Weel; Frank J van Dijk Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2010-02-04 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Jaana Keto; Hanna Ventola; Jari Jokelainen; Markku Timonen; Kari Linden; Tero Ylisaukko-Oja; Sirkka Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi; Juha Auvinen Journal: Eur J Health Econ Date: 2016-03-23
Authors: M Rivière; Y Toullic; P Lerouge; T Blanchon; A Leroyer; L Plancke; T Prazuck; M Melchior; N Younès Journal: BMC Fam Pract Date: 2020-07-02 Impact factor: 2.497
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