occupational health Flashcards
what is occupational medicine?
Branch of medicine concerned with interaction
between work & health
Name some occupational diseases
Asbestosis • Silicosis • Coalminers’ pneumoconiosis • Occupational dermatitis • Occupational deafness • Tenosynovitis • Mesothelioma
what are the two most common types of health problems caused by work?
stress, depression, anxiety
MSK disorders
Name some sources of occupational illness data
- Labour Force Survey
- Death Certificate
- Disablement benefit
- Surveillance Schemes
Which study design is best for calculating attributable risk of cause to a condition?
cohort - individuals are assembled based
on exposure status and followed over a period
of time. (exposed Vs. not exposed and compare incidence over time - prospective)
What are the patterns of appearance of occupational disease?
- Acute • Cumulative • Progressive (disease progression after exposure ceases) • Diseases with latencies
What are the 5 classifications of work hazards?
- Mechanical
- Physical
- Chemical
- Biological
- Psychosocial
Give an example of a disease with a latent period
mesothelioma
Give examples of transition points in working life
work to unemployment
unemployment to re-employment
school leavers to first job
work to retirement
What are the 10 key principles of good work?
Precariousness - stable
Individual control - part of decision making
Work demands - quality and quantity
Fair employment - earnings and security from employer
Opportunities – training, promotion, health, “growth”
Prevents social isolation, discrimination & violence
Share information, participate in decision making collective bargaining, justice
if conflicts
Work/life balance
Reintegrates sick or disabled wherever possible
Promotes health and wellbeing – psychological needs self efficacy, self
esteem, belonging and meaningfulness
When should we be suspicious of an occupational cause?
- illness that fails to respond to
standard treatment 2. does not fit the
typical demographic profile - of unknown cause
What are the screening questions for occupation-related disease?
- What type of work do you do?
- Do you think your health problems might be related to your work?
- Are your symptoms different at work and at home?
- Are you currently exposed to chemicals, dusts, metals, radiation,
noise or repetitive work? Have you been exposed to chemicals,
dusts, metals, radiation, noise or repetitive work in the past? - Are any of your co-workers experiencing similar symptoms?
what are the effects of being out of work?
mental health loss of fitness reduced well0being social exclusion poverty trapped on benefits
What are the advantages of enabling disabled people to get back to work?
therapeutic,
promotes recovery, participation, quality of life and reduces
poverty
What is the definition of disability?
A physical or mental impairment, which has a
SUBSTANTIAL LONG TERM ADVERSE effect on a person’s ability to carry out NORMAL ACTIVITIES
