Physician shortage in occupational and environmental medicine

Article Abstract:

Exposure to environmental chemical and physical agents is fast becoming a topic of great public concern. Increasingly, pressure is being put on the medical establishment to provide information about the risks associated with this exposure, as well as to provide diagnostic and treatment services for patients suffering the ill effects of this sort of exposure. In 1987, the Institute of Medicine recommended improves in the knowledge of primary care practitioners concerning environmental and occupational medical issues, and an increase in the number of specialty-trained occupational and environmental medicine physicians to serve as educators and consultants. The present supply of such specialists is estimated at 1,200 to 1,500 in the US. The short-term need is estimated (based on figures from several different government and professional organizations) at between 4,600 and 6,700 board-certified or board-eligible in the specialty (to fill roles as academic faculty members, community-based specialists, and public health officials). This leaves a shortfall of 3,100 to 5,500 physicians for the coming decade. To remedy this deficit, it is suggested that graduate specialty training in this field be increased to about three-to-five times the current level. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Planning, Supply and demand, Training, Epidemiological research, Cross sectional studies, Medical education, Medicine, Industrial, Industrial medicine, Graduate medical education, Preventive medicine physicians

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Immunologic, psychological, and neuropsychological factors in multiple chemical sensitivity: a controlled study

Article Abstract:

Multiple chemical sensitivity may not be caused by immunological abnormalities. Multiple chemical sensitivity is characterized by the development of a variety of symptoms after low level exposure to chemicals. A study compared immunological, psychological and neuropsychological factors in 41 patients with multiple chemical sensitivity and 34 patients with chronic musculoskeletal injuries (control group). No significant difference in immunologic testing was found between patients with chemical sensitivity and the control group. Patients with chemical sensitivity were more likely to be depressed or anxious than individuals in the control group. These symptoms were not significantly associated with the development of chemical sensitivity. Neuropsychological testing also did not find any significant difference between patients with chemical sensitivity and the control group. Many patients complained of memory loss and inability to concentrate, but these problems were not confirmed by neuropsychological tests.

Mental illness, Mental disorders

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Multiple chemical sensitivities

Article Abstract:

The incidence of preexisting psychiatric illnesses is high among patients with multiple chemical sensitivities. Multiple chemical sensitivities are characterized by a wide variety of symptoms after exposure to low levels of chemicals. Many of these chemicals are substances frequently encountered in normal living activities. This disorder was referred as 'environmental illness' when it was first described in the 1950s. Many patients with multiple chemical sensitivities overuse health care services, but their symptoms are related to chemical exposure. A research study found that patients with multiple chemical sensitivities had normal immune systems. Many of these patients had different types of preexisting psychological illnesses. Their illness was often triggered by some type of sensory awareness of a chemical in the environment.

Editorial

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