Blind spot in health care for work-relatedness ̶ Revitalizing Ramazzini’s legacy
Keywords
Attending physicians; blind spot; work-relatedness; health care
Project leader
Email address
Dr. PC Buijs
peter.buijs@tno.nl
Partners (of the CC Network)
NIOSH: dr Max Lum
Arbetslivetinstitutet:dr Mikael Sjoberg
INRS: dr Bernard Siano
ISPESL: dr Sergio Iavicoli
University Singapore:dr Chia Sin Eng
IACT: dr Alberto Zucconi
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz: dr Stanislaw Tarkowski
Other partners
University of Belo Horizonte, Brasil: dr René Mendes; University of Casablanca, Morocco: dr El Kohlti
Funding
TNO already did a blind spot project, funded by the Dutch Department of Social Affairs and Employment, and supported by an international e-mail working party. In the proposed WHO-project, we will disseminate results of this former project, to be funded by TNO Quality of Life.
Objective of the project
To inform attending physicians and other health care professionals about possible work-relatedness of complaints and diseases of patients, and about taking this relatedness into account in diagnosis, advice and treatment.
Project outcome and deadline for completion
WHO brochure, deadline 2010
Target group or/ and beneficiaries
Attending physicians, practitioners in health care
Summary of the project
An important WHO principle for Global Action is: “coordinated response by all parts of the health system with regards to workers health issues.” However, there seems to be a blind spot for work-relatedness in healthcare, widely spread globally, leading to insufficient care for workers and endangering their work ability. So the results and outcomes of an international TNO-project on 'Blind Spot' will be translated in a brochure text informing health care workers about in/outs of work-relatedness of complaints and diseases.
Dissemination
Brochures to partners of the CC network. Further distribution by the partners and by internet.
Impact (global or regional)
Global
Progress on Project
On a global scale (S and N-America, Asia (China), Africa and Europe) experts have confirmed or been asked to contribute to the booklet. A template is almost ready. Jorma Rantanen (ICOH) and Chris van Weel (WONCA) will write the Preface, and Gerry Eijkemans will provide the 'WHO- view' on the "BLind Spot issue".
Final drafts: autumn 2009. Final editing: begin 2010
Dedicated meeting and two special sessions at ICOH 2009
First drafts of most chapters of the booklet are available
List of additional major outcomes expected from this project by 2012
Blind spot in health care for work-relatedness -booklet ready and distributed as agreed.
Area 2: Standards for organization and coverage
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
(to be assigned by WHO)
3.16i
Existing Project
CONTRIBUTING PROJECT Title
Work plan project number
East Asian Network for Development of Occupational Health Research and Services Model
GPA Objective and Action(e.g. GPA 3)
To improve the performance of and to access to occupational health services
Priority Initiative Number (e.g. 3.1) and Area (if applicable) e.g Agriculture
1.Establish and evaluate basic occupational health services that are relevant, accessible, acceptable, affordable and of good quality(Action.3.16)
This project also contributes to other GPA Priorities (List them, if applicable).
Establish and evaluate basic occupational health services that are relevant, accessible, acceptable, affordable and of good quality(Action.3.16)
Responsible CC or NGO Name
Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences (IIES), UOEH, Japan
Project leader(s)
(contact name and email address)
Toshiaki Higashi thigashi@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
thigashiAkira Ogami gamisan@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
Network partners (CC name, country, email)
WHO CC, Catholic Medical University, School of Public Health, Korea (responsible person Dr Lee Se-Hoon),Beijing University, School of Medicine, China (responsible person Dr Wang Sheng)
WHO Regions involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)
As an advisor
WPRO(Dr Hisashi Ogawa : ogawah@wpro.who.int)
Country ministries involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)
Not applicable
External partners for this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name, organization and email)
Wenzhou Medical College, School of Public Health, China (responsible person Dr Chenping Huang),
Dokkyo University, School of Medicine ( responsible person Dr Takashi Mutoh: mutot@dokkyomed.ac.jp)
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
The model of OH services (OHS) werewas developed through the research on the contents and system of institutions in each countries and market research for employers and employees. Through the participation of voluntary researchers from KJCJC members and collaborating institutions, effective and suitable OHS system model for workers including SMEs will be proposed. And evidence based service contents and procedures for eastern Asian society will be submitted to common database for OHS. Evaluation and audit is performed by KJCJC and ACOH meeting and those affiliated committee meeting.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Harmonization of OHS among Eastern Asian countries which have close cultural and geographical relationship.
Events-opportunities for furthering the projectMajor Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)
Evaluation and audit is performed by KJCJC and ACOH meeting and those affiliated committee meeting.1. organize the WS on practices in Health Promotion(WSHP) at KJC June,2010
2. edit and submit the reports on WS HP March, 2011
3. Publish the results of WS topics in KJCJC June, 2012
Indicators of achievement (impact)Dissemination plan
Number of involved organizations, publication, presentation on this matterEvaluation and audit is performed by KJCJC and ACOH meeting and those affiliated committee meeting.
Public health impact
Quality assurance of occupational health services in east Asian countries
Funding source(s)
Funding from private sectors and operation fund for international conferences sponsored by external funding organization
DisseminationList of outcomes already achieved by this project
Submission of reports and manuals and presentation at KJCJC and ACOH Annual Proceedings of KJCJC and special reports on Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Industrial Health 2008
Workplace improvement educational DVD for retail industry (Japanese version only but translate to English)
List of majoradditional outcomes already achieved by expected from this project by 2012
Databases and Guide: End of 2010 for the first comprehensive version, each parts of major 3-4 topics
Workplace improvement of MSDs (Publications of guideline: End of 2011
Membership scheme of involved institutions: 2012
The effective and evidence based occupational health service Model in East Asian countries which has similar situation in cultural background and rapid aging society.
The database, guide which are available for evidence based occupational health services and prevent international threat for human health
Annual Proceedings of KJCJC and special topicsreports on WS in Industrial Health 2008)
Workplace improvement educational DVD for retail industry (Japanese version only but translate to English)or other academic journals
List of additional major outcomes expected from this project by 20122016
Publications of guideline: End of 2011
MembershipEstablish collaboration study scheme of involved institutions: 2012
The effective and evidence based occupational health service Model in East Asian countries which has similar situation in cultural background and rapid aging society.
The database, guide which are available for evidence based occupational health services and prevent international threat for human health
MSDs, Health Promotion and Improvement of Work environment will be edited up to 2012 on the basis ofamong Japan /China/, Korea joint conference network.and China on (1) aging workforce, (2) Best Occupational Practices, (3) Mental stress.
Area 3: BOHS pilots
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
3.16j
Formerly AA5:4c
PROJECT Title
SHERQ programme for the Public Health Service in South Africa
GPA Objective
GPA Objective 3: To develop a model of occupational health service delivery within the public health service
GPA Action: 18. Development of human resources for workers’ health should be further strengthened by:
Further postgraduate training in relevant disciplines; building capacity for basic occupational health services;
Incorporating workers’ health in the training of primary health care practitioners and other professionals needed for occupational health services;
Encouraging the establishment of networks of services and professional associations. Attention should be given not only to postgraduate but also to basic training for health professionals in various fields such as promotion of workers’ health and the prevention and treatment of workers’ health problems. This should be a particular priority in primary health care.
Department of Public Service & Administration (DPSA) and selected provincial and national departments within the government of South Africa
External partners for this project
Summary of the project
This project will begin pilot SHERQ projects within public sector departments in South Africa. The public sector (national and provincial government) comprises approximately 1.2m employees and local government a further 500 000 employees. The NIOH will be supporting the DPSA in its quest for policy inputs, strategic and operational plans as well as implementing a SHERQ programme in the public sector. The project consists of sensitization workshops with stakeholders, providing training for SHERQ personnel, assessing epidemiological data as well as sickness and absenteeism records, conducting risk assessments and clinical assessments as well as setting up surveillance systems for injuries and diseases. An Occupational Health Service (OHS) for the public sector will be set up and includes a referral system based at facility / district, provincial and national levels. The pilot phase will be over the next 6 months with scaling up over the next 5 years (2010 to 2015).
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Public health service employees in South Africa
Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)
Sensitization workshops (by October 2009)
Project team set up (by October 2009)
Enhanced injury surveillance system (by March 2010)
Pilot OHS at facility / district level by March 2010
Development of curriculum for mid level SHERQ personnel (by March 2010)
Provide technical support to DPSA for establishment of occupational health services for the public service
Establish standards for Basic Occupational Health Services in the public sector
Set up referral system for public health service
Completion date
2015
Outcomes (ie: materials developed, delivered/disseminated, audience, number trained/disseminated)
To identify all stakeholders that need to be involved in the establishment of a Healthy Workplace within the Public Service (done May 2010)
To conduct a policy review of all Occupational Health and Safety Policies within the 146 departments of the DPSA
Strengthen human resources for workers’ health by postgraduate training and SHERQ personnel training
To establish an Occupational Health and Safety Task Team for the Public Service (done May 2010)
To develop an Occupational Health and Safety Policy that encompasses all the Public Service departments (in process)
To determine what Occupational Health and Safety Services are available to Public Service employees and who is providing these services (formal research project in progress )
To establish a standard of what constitutes basic Occupational Health and Safety Services within the Public Service
To develop a model for the delivery of Occupational Health and Safety Services within the Public Service
To establish an information management system (IMS) that will assist with Occupational Health and Safety surveillance system within the Public Service (being piloted at one public hospital)
To identify a funding model for the Occupational Health and Safety Services for the Public Service
To develop a Monitoring and Evaluation System for the Public Service Occupational Health and Safety Services
Impact (policy change, programs sustained, reduction in injuries or illnesses)
Capacity building for basic occupational health services in South Africa
Strengthening of human resource for workers’ health.
Contribution to overall occupational health of public servants and building sustainable systems for reduction in work-related injuries and diseases in all public servants but particularly in health workers
Development of a national policy for public occupational health service delivery
Barriers to completion
Budget constraints for human resources
Some of the outcomes dependant on other departments so not entirely under NIOH control
Other
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
3.16p
New Project
PROJECT Title
SHERQ programme for the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) in South Africa
GPA Objective
GPA Objective 3: To develop a model for occupational health service delivery within the NHLS
GPA Action 16. Coverage and quality of occupational health services should be improved by:
integrating their development into NHLS strategies, health-sector reforms and plans for improving health systems
performance;
determining standards for organization and coverage of occupational health
services;
setting targets for increasing the coverage of the working population with occupational health services;
creating mechanisms for pooling resources and for financing the delivery of occupational health services;
ensuring sufficient and competent human resources; and establishing quality assurance systems. Basic occupational health services should be provided for all workers within the NHLS.
Priority Number and Area (if applicable)
3.1
Responsible CC or NGO Name
NIOH, South Africa
Project leader(s)
Spo Kgalamono, David Rees, Barry Kistnasamy
spo.kgalamono@nioh.nhls.ac.za
David.rees@nioh.nhls.ac.za,
barry.kistnasamy@nioh.nhls.ac.za
Network partners
Possibly NIOSH and FIOH
WHO Regions involved in this project
AFRO
Country ministries involved in this project
Ministry of Health
External partners for this project (contact name, organization and email)
Summary of the project
This project will begin pilot SHERQ projects within the NHLS in South Africa. The NHLS comprises approximately 6 500 employees in 284 pathology laboratories across South Africa and 3 National Institutes (National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Institute for Occupational Health and the National Cancer Registry). The NIOH is tasked with developing the SHERQ programme for the NHLS - policy inputs, strategic and operational plans as well as implementing SHERQ in the NHLS. The project consists of sensitization workshops with stakeholders, providing training for SHERQ personnel, assessing epidemiological data as well as sickness and absenteeism records, conducting risk assessments and clinical assessments as well as setting up surveillance systems for injuries and diseases within the NHLS. An Occupational Health Service (OHS) for the NHLS will be set up and includes a referral system. The pilot phase will be over the next 6 months with scaling up over the next 3 years (2010 to 2013).
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Laboratory and laboratory support employees in South Africa
Major Milestones (list up to three dates and milestones)
Sensitisation workshops (by December 2009)
Project team set up (by December 2009)
Enhanced injury surveillance system (by June 2010)
Pilot OHS at facility / district level (by June 2010)
Development of training programme for SHERQ personnel in laboratories (by June 2010)
Dissemination plan
Funding source(s)
NHLS in South Africa
List of outcomes already achieved by this project
Strategic plan of NHLS incorporates section on SHERQ programme (July 2009)
Injury surveillance tool (SLIDE by NIOH in place) piloted since 2008
Preliminary discussions around models for SHERQ programme implementation (July 2009)
List of additional outcomes expected from this project by 2012
Referral system and OHS in place for NHLS in 75% of laboratories and all national institutes
Surveillance system using SLIDE or similar tool across NHLS
100 trained SHERQ personnel within the NHLS
Project Deliverables
NHLS compliance with South African occupational health legislation
Protection of the health of NHLS employees
Completion date
2012
Outcomes (ie: materials developed, delivered/disseminated, audience, number trained/disseminated)
Revise and adopt an Occupational health and safety policy for the NHLS (done February – March 2010)
Revise and adopt an immunization policy for the NHLS (done March 2010)
Strengthen Risk Assessment and Control of hazards (in progress).
Strengthen Occupational Medicine Services, including routine medical evaluations and ergonomics (done – additional staff employed, routine medical evaluations underway and new programmes to be developed)
Improve implementation of surveillance of workplace incidents, injuries and diseases through SLIDE (in progress – a public service tool, OHASIS, being interfaced with current NHLS IT system)
Improve waste management (in progress)
Strengthen the NHLS HIV/AIDS programme. Do a KAP survey (in developmental stages)
Support effective Occupational Health and Safety Committees (in progress)
Impact (policy change, programs sustained, reduction in injuries or illnesses)
NHLS policy in alignment with National Occupational Health Laws and DPSA
Occupational Health services for NHLS strengthened – leading to protection of NHLS employees’ health
Barriers to completion
Budget constraints re human resource recruitment (5 of the initial 10 posts funded)
