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Work-Related Primary Care in Occupational Health Physician’s Practice

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the staff of Lääkärikeskus—yhtymä and Doctors Kirsi Jokinen, Tuomas Jääskeläinen, and Katri Pöyry participating in the study and helping to gather data. No conflicts of interest have been declared.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland

    Annukka Ikonen

  2. Vehkakulma 4 D, 02180, Espoo, Finland

    Annukka Ikonen

  3. University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland

    Kimmo Räsänen

  4. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Kuopio, Finland

    Pirjo Manninen

  5. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland

    Maria Rautio, Päivi Husman, Anneli Ojajärvi & Kaj Husman

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  1. Annukka Ikonen
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  2. Kimmo Räsänen
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Correspondence to Annukka Ikonen.

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Ikonen, A., Räsänen, K., Manninen, P. et al. Work-Related Primary Care in Occupational Health Physician’s Practice. J Occup Rehabil 22, 88–96 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-011-9325-1

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