Slide 5 of 14
Notes:
The medical specialty of occupational medicine focuses on the workplace and its environment. The occupational medicine physician is a business’s best resource to prevent, diagnose, and treat workplace illness and injury.
Occupational medicine physicians are uniquely qualified by their education and training to understand workplace issues. They help employers identify, detect, prevent, and educate employees regarding workplace and environmental hazards.
An important question that the business community should ask is, “What is the value of occupational medicine to business and industry?” These values are extensive. The selection and maintenance of a healthy work force is facilitated through preplacement and periodic physical examinations. The ready availability of medical care with treatment and close follow-up enhances employees early return to work, resulting in reduced absences and lost time, thus reducing cost and maintaining productivity.
Corporate liability is reduced by appropriate and timely management of work and non-work related health concerns. Occupational physicians with extensive knowledge regarding work-related issues and regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Leave Act, workers’ compensation, disability management, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act assist in putting in place procedures and policies which satisfy regulatory compliance.
as clinicians occupational physicians primarily:
diagnos and treat occupational illness/injury;conduct medical evaluations;return workers at an appropriate level;coordinate with work-site personnel;and serve as a medical review officer (MRO).
The occupational medicine physician’s clinical role in business and industry ranges from assessment to treatment to rehabilitation. One of the most important functions is to determine when the worker can return to work and what tasks he or she can perform with the goal of full rehabilitation back into the workplace. The occupational and environmental medicine physician coordinates recommendations with all appropriate parties; the company, the patient, the insurance carrier, and other health care providers. In some work site situations, the occupational and environmental medicine physician serves as the medical review officer for substance abuse testing.
as an assistant to employers occupational physicians:
develop and implement policy and procedures;identify workplace hazards;advise on state and federal regulations;provide leadership to health benefits program;supervise wellness programs; and provide case management for workers’ comp.
The occupational medicine physician fulfills many organizational and administrative functions in industry and business. These range from identifying workplace hazards to helping the company develop the policies and procedures necessary to deal with the hazard. Another vital role is as a part of the administrative team in reviewing workers’ compensation and the company’s health benefits program. To help enhance health among workers and their families, and to reduce days lost to illness and injury, the occupational and environmental medicine physician designs and directs wellness programs.
