The field of medical activity, the purpose of which is the prevention and treatment of occupational diseases, is called occupational pathology. Its specificity is to exclude or reduce the impact of adverse factors on a person during work. Many colloquially call occupational pathology occupational medicine. It is a completely independent medical discipline. The main purpose of this activity is to promote the good he alth of the work unit.
Occupational pathologist - who is this?
Qualified specialists are involved in this area. An occupational pathologist is a medical professional who consults patients, finds the causes of diseases that have arisen, prescribes an examination, establishes a diagnosis and plans further treatment. The doctor is also developing methods that allow early detection of such ailments, possibly preventing their occurrence. The occupational pathologist prescribes preventive measures, and also conducts the rehabilitation of workers within the framework of he alth and social programs. The competence of a doctor includes establishing a direct connection between existing diseases or disabilities with the characteristics of work activity and an examination that determines a person’s professional suitability for work in a particular place.
Occupational pathologists are daily busy analyzing the state of the population suitable for professional activity, especially that part of it that works in dangerous and unhe althy conditions. These doctors try to take all measures that will help reduce the risk of serious diseases. They are interested and show every effort in carrying out complexes of various he alth-improving and preventive measures that help reduce the effects of harmful factors.
What does this doctor do?
When asking the question: "The occupational pathologist - who is this?", it is necessary to find out what exactly the doctor's activity is aimed at. Services he provides:
- Consultations related to the diagnosis, treatment or rehabilitation of employees working in adverse conditions, as well as those employees who have already received an occupational disease or suffered as a result of an industrial accident. People who have received a disability, severe injury or poisoning at work can apply for such advice.
- A medical examination of an in-depth type of preventive nature, during which procedures are carried out confirming the suitability of a person for a certain professional activity, as well as an examination confirmingconnection of the disease with the patient's activities.
- Issuing referrals for visiting diagnostic procedures for the purpose of conducting additional examinations, taking tests that reveal the level of ability to work.
Competence of an occupational pathologist
The question arises again: "An occupational pathologist - who is this, what is his activity aimed at?" If you need to use the services of this doctor, you should find out what actions on his part are legal. The patient who came to the appointment should give the most accurate and truthful answers to questions about the state of his he alth. To confirm the words of the worker, the doctor may ask for relevant documents, certificates, examination results or medical history.
A particularly important dialogue during the consultation includes issues related to working conditions. Without reliable information and truthful answers, it will be quite difficult for an occupational pathologist to provide the necessary assistance.
At present, every enterprise has a mandatory procedure for workers - a medical examination. Seeing the list of offices in which you need to check in, many may wonder: “Who is the occupational pathologist?” This doctor determines the suitability of a person for work in his position, assesses how his activity affects he alth, if necessary, offers treatment or makes recommendations for necessary preventive procedures.
Terms of reference
An occupational pathologist is a specialist with a higher education in the field of medicine. In addition, hemust hold a certificate attesting to his postgraduate training. Such a doctor carries out his work in specialized medical centers or in medical institutions.
According to what the occupational pathologist's job description says, his activities are carried out in close cooperation with the sanitary and epidemiological service. The main duties of a person of this profession are the analysis of the state of he alth, especially of those people who work in hazardous or harmful conditions, activities aimed at reducing the risks of various diseases. The conclusion of an occupational pathologist on the state of he alth of an employee indicates his professional suitability for a particular type of work.
Diseases from the field of occupational pathology
- Pulmonary ailments of the dust type (bronchitis, asthma, pneumoconiosis).
- Vibration sickness.
- Microtrauma or musculoskeletal problems.
- Acute and chronic intoxication with mercury, lead, manganese, fluorine, chromium, carbon disulfide, beryllium, benzene, styrene, pesticides, etc.
- Skin diseases caused by the working environment (epidermitis, follicles, melasma, ulceration, dermatosis, dermatitis).
