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Exploring the current role of occupational health physicians in British Columbia

University of British Columbia

The purpose of this study is to explore the current role of B.C. occupational health physicians. Four aspects of the role are studied: type of employment; relationships with allied professionals, management, labour, and government; type of tasks performed; professional education and clinical experience. In the United States, Great Britain and Canada, trends in the practice of occupational medicine are reviewed. A history of occupational medicine is given. Prelacement and periodic medical examinations and the physician's role as teacher, counsellor, rehabilitation officer and researcher are discussed. Six cases of B.C. occupational health physicians working in seven companies were studied. A descriptive approach is used. Field interviews and observations of the six physicians practicing occupational medicine are informal and flexible in design. This design permits the physician freedom to express his opinions about the practice of occupational medicine in B.C. trends in the practice of occupational medicine are reviewed. Results of the study suggest a need to develop occupational health and safety services by a third party agency. The need for recognition by management and labour of the complementary roles of industrial hygienist and occupational physician is discussed. British Columbia has various government agencies with acts and regulations pertinent to occupational health and safety. The recommendation is made to investigate the development of a single occupational health and safety act for B.C. A frequent task performed by physicians is the preplacement examination. The study recommends that a position paper be given by professional associations on the appropriate role of the physician and nurse in the preplacement screening and examination. Educational programs for the physician and allied occupational health professionals need to be developed. Professional recognition of occupational medicine by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada would enhance the professional status of the occupational health physician by colleagues, management and labour.

Text

2010-03-26

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/22653

Health Care and Epidemiology

University of British Columbia

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