The perceptions of occupational health in primary care

• Published in: Occupational medicine (Oxford) Vol. 55; no. 7; pp. 523 - 527
• Main Authors: Elms, Joanne, O'Hara, Rachel, Pickvance, Simon, Fishwick, David, Hazell, Michelle, Frank, Tim, Henson, Mandy, Marlow, Peter, Evans, Gareth, Bradshaw, Lisa, Harvey, Paul, Curran, Andrew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.10.2005; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Biological and medical sciences; Education, Medical, Continuing; England; Female; Focus Groups; Humans; Legislation. Organization; Male; Medical sciences; Nurse Practitioners; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - prevention & control; Occupational Health; Occupational medicine; Office Management; Physicians, Family; primary care; Primary Health Care - organization & administration; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Kingdom; Europe; England; British Isles, England, Greater Manchester, Manchester; British Isles, England, South Yorkshire, Sheffield; Social perception; Health staff; General practitioner; Primary health care; Occupational health; primary care; Occupational role; Occupational medicine; Nurse
• ISSN: 0962-7480; 1471-8405
• DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqi123

Aim A random sample of general practitioners (GPs), practice nurses (PNs) and practice managers (PMs) in Sheffield and Manchester was recruited into a study to evaluate the perceptions of occupational health (OH) in primary care. Methods Qualitative data were collected using focus groups with three groups of primary care sector professionals. Quantitative data were collected nationally from 295 GPs using a postal questionnaire. Results GPs and PNs had minimal OH training, and 60% of GPs reported constraints in addressing OH matters with patients. The lack of referral routes (63 and 67%, respectively) was also seen as a barrier. OH was regarded as a speciality, and primary care professionals preferred to refer patients with OH problems to specialist centres because they perceived barriers to their dealing with the issues. A total of 74% of GPs surveyed thought that speedier access to secondary care would help them to address OH problems. Conclusions This study has identified some of the problems associated with delivering OH through primary care. It also demonstrated a need for greater emphasis on OH education in medical and nurse training, and a need for better advice for GPs, PNs and PMs regarding support services for OH.