Occupational medicine
Article Abstract:
Although occupational medicine is an important medical specialty, the most common providers of occupational health care are 'front-line' physicians: internists, and family and general practitioners. These physicians require training in occupational medicine to a greater extent than they now receive it in residency programs. Although the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has allocated funds for expansion of curricula to this end, residency training in occupational health issues remains minimal. Some medical conditions under current scrutiny in this field are musculoskeletal problems resulting from frequent use of the same muscle groups (cumulative trauma disorders), chemical sensitization to known irritants and apparently innocuous consumer products (soaps and perfumes), and 'sick' building syndrome, resulting from poor indoor air quality. An important national and international problem is the regulation of child and adolescent labor. Grease burns among teenagers working in fast food restaurants are of concern, and the long hours worked by some teens can disrupt home and school life. Young children (four or five years in some countries) are not able to safely operate equipment designed for adults, and their developing bodies may be more sensitive to toxins. Increased funding has been allocated for the NIOSH to study agricultural work environments. Awareness of the health effects of pollutants and hazards in the workplace that are taken or transmitted outside the work area enlarges the scope of occupational medicine. Efforts are being made by many companies to provide smoke-free environments, better quality of food, and on-site screening for hypertension, cholesterol levels, and other conditions. Health care plans are focusing more on prevention than previously, and the workplace is an important arena for negotiating agreements on containment of health care costs. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1990
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Learning, satisfaction, and mistreatment during medical internship: a national survey of working conditions
Article Abstract:
Medical residents may be more satisfied with their internship if they have positive learning experiences and no experience with harassment or discrimination. Researchers surveyed 1,277 second-year residents about their experiences during their first year. The residents spent an average of 56.9 hours a week on call and said they learned mostly from other residents. They reported moderate satisfaction with their first year overall. Over 90% reported one incident of mistreatment and over half had been belittled by senior residents. Over 60% of the women had experienced sexual harassment.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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