Occupational medicine requires a closer look by employers, government and academia
By : B.G. DOYLE
Edition: December 13, 2012 | Volume: 40 | No: 49
A report issued March 2011 by the White House Task Force on Puerto Rico states that occupational injury and illness rates appear to be higher on the island than in the U.S. as a whole. According to the report, the incidence rate of injury and illness cases that involved days away from work was 278.4 per 10,000 full-time private-industry workers compared with 106.4 in the States. Dr. Roberto López Nieves, an occupational physician, said much needs to be done if Puerto Rico wants to improve these numbers and attract global companies. "Currently, Puerto Rico doesn't have a formal residence training in occupational medicine and there is no residency-trained physician practicing in the field," he said.
He also added that while workplaces with more than 50 employees in Puerto Rico were once required to have occupational health dispensaries certified by the State Insurance Fund (SIF), this is no longer the case. "That law was eliminated several years ago, and the benefit of having a healthcare professional at the workplace is now voluntary," he said, and added that many occupational healthcare professionals on duty often lack the necessary case management skills needed to encourage employees to stay on the job, thus avoiding unnecessary or prolonged absences.
Moreover, while the Puerto Rico Occupational Safety & Health Association (Prosha) has several regulations and guidelines in place that, if properly implemented, can significantly reduce workplace accidents, many companies aren't taking advantage of its services. "Prosha has free consultation services that could be used by employers," he said. "Any investment in safety and health prevention is multiplied by having lower costs related to SIF cases, private healthcare plans and business disruptions." He also believes rudimentary wellness programs play a major role. "The potential impact of health promotion programs in the workplace would reduce not only healthcare costs for employers and the government, but [result in fewer] work-related medical conditions also, since in many cases, the interaction or overlapping between work-related and nonwork-related medical conditions is markedly significant," he said.
At this year's Puerto Rico College of Physicians & Surgeons' Convention, Dr. López will provide a presentation regarding the definition of occupational medicine, the necessary competencies, the actual state of the practice in Puerto Rico and how employers can implement an onsite occupational health program. He will also talk about the benefits the business, the employee and the public will reap from a well-focused program, and describe the current situation of the practice and possible resources for training. "My goal is to stimulate physicians to learn more about this underestimated field of medicine and the importance it has for our future in this globalized and very competitive market," he said. "I will also attempt to provide insight regarding the important role of the nonoccupational physicians in contributing to eliminate or reduce unnecessary absenteeism or presenteeism [attending work while sick]." While there are currently three academic centers offering formal training in safety and health, he would also like to see more alliances established between industrial sectors and academia to stimulate research related to occupational healthcare, including supervised practice centers for university students in any of the occupational health and safety areas.
He also added that while workplaces with more than 50 employees in Puerto Rico were once required to have occupational health dispensaries certified by the State Insurance Fund (SIF), this is no longer the case. "That law was eliminated several years ago, and the benefit of having a healthcare professional at the workplace is now voluntary," he said, and added that many occupational healthcare professionals on duty often lack the necessary case management skills needed to encourage employees to stay on the job, thus avoiding unnecessary or prolonged absences.
Moreover, while the Puerto Rico Occupational Safety & Health Association (Prosha) has several regulations and guidelines in place that, if properly implemented, can significantly reduce workplace accidents, many companies aren't taking advantage of its services. "Prosha has free consultation services that could be used by employers," he said. "Any investment in safety and health prevention is multiplied by having lower costs related to SIF cases, private healthcare plans and business disruptions." He also believes rudimentary wellness programs play a major role. "The potential impact of health promotion programs in the workplace would reduce not only healthcare costs for employers and the government, but [result in fewer] work-related medical conditions also, since in many cases, the interaction or overlapping between work-related and nonwork-related medical conditions is markedly significant," he said.
At this year's Puerto Rico College of Physicians & Surgeons' Convention, Dr. López will provide a presentation regarding the definition of occupational medicine, the necessary competencies, the actual state of the practice in Puerto Rico and how employers can implement an onsite occupational health program. He will also talk about the benefits the business, the employee and the public will reap from a well-focused program, and describe the current situation of the practice and possible resources for training. "My goal is to stimulate physicians to learn more about this underestimated field of medicine and the importance it has for our future in this globalized and very competitive market," he said. "I will also attempt to provide insight regarding the important role of the nonoccupational physicians in contributing to eliminate or reduce unnecessary absenteeism or presenteeism [attending work while sick]." While there are currently three academic centers offering formal training in safety and health, he would also like to see more alliances established between industrial sectors and academia to stimulate research related to occupational healthcare, including supervised practice centers for university students in any of the occupational health and safety areas.
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