Chris Sames1,2, Des F Gorman3, Simon J Mitchell1,4,5, Lifeng Zhou6. 1. Slark Hyperbaric Unit, Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand. 2. Corresponding author: Dr Chris Sames, Slark Hyperbaric Unit, PO Box 32051, Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand, chris.sames@waitematadhb.govt.nz. 3. Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 4. Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 5. Department of Anaesthesia, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. 6. Planning, funding and outcomes, Waitemata and Auckland District Health Boards, Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Professional divers, like many other specialised occupational groups, are subject to regulatory constraints that include mandatory initial medical certification and routine recertification. The New Zealand system of diver certification and health surveillance has undergone modifications in recent years, but its acceptance among end-users has never been formally assessed. Because of the wide variety of tasks, circumstances and personalities encountered in the diving industry, unanimous satisfaction is an unrealistic expectation, but establishing the current mood of divers in this regard and canvassing opinions on possible improvements is an important step towards optimising the certification process. METHOD: A multi-choice satisfaction questionnaire was added, as a quality assurance measure, to the on-line health questionnaire completed annually by all New Zealand professional divers. A complete 12-month dataset was analysed to determine levels of satisfaction, areas of dissatisfaction and suggestions for improvement. Comparison of the opinions of various diver groups was achieved by stratification into employment-type sub-groups and those working locally, overseas or both. RESULTS: The responses of 914 divers who completed the survey established an 85% satisfaction rate with the existing diver certification system. Dissatisfaction was independent of diving locality. Compliance cost was the most common area of dissatisfaction, particularly among recreational diving instructors. CONCLUSIONS: Most New Zealand professional divers consider the current certification system satisfactory. Effective communication between the regulating authority and divers was identified as an important area for further development. Copyright: This article is the copyright of the authors who grant Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine a non-exclusive licence to publish the article in electronic and other forms.
INTRODUCTION: Professional divers, like many other specialised occupational groups, are subject to regulatory constraints that include mandatory initial medical certification and routine recertification. The New Zealand system of diver certification and health surveillance has undergone modifications in recent years, but its acceptance among end-users has never been formally assessed. Because of the wide variety of tasks, circumstances and personalities encountered in the diving industry, unanimous satisfaction is an unrealistic expectation, but establishing the current mood of divers in this regard and canvassing opinions on possible improvements is an important step towards optimising the certification process. METHOD: A multi-choice satisfaction questionnaire was added, as a quality assurance measure, to the on-line health questionnaire completed annually by all New Zealand professional divers. A complete 12-month dataset was analysed to determine levels of satisfaction, areas of dissatisfaction and suggestions for improvement. Comparison of the opinions of various diver groups was achieved by stratification into employment-type sub-groups and those working locally, overseas or both. RESULTS: The responses of 914 divers who completed the survey established an 85% satisfaction rate with the existing diver certification system. Dissatisfaction was independent of diving locality. Compliance cost was the most common area of dissatisfaction, particularly among recreational diving instructors. CONCLUSIONS: Most New Zealand professional divers consider the current certification system satisfactory. Effective communication between the regulating authority and divers was identified as an important area for further development. Copyright: This article is the copyright of the authors who grant Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine a non-exclusive licence to publish the article in electronic and other forms.
Keywords:
Diving industry; Fitness to dive; Health surveillance; Medicals – diving; Occupational diving; Occupational health; Survey