TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving the assessment of occupational diseases by occupational physicians
AU - Boschman, J. S.
AU - Brand, T.
AU - Frings-Dresen, M. H. W.
AU - van der Molen, H. F.
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - Background The prevention of occupational diseases is limited by a lack of insight into occupational exposure to risk. We developed a six-step approach to improve the diagnosis and reporting of occupational diseases and the selection of subsequent preventive actions by occupational physicians (OPs). Aims To evaluate the effect of the six-step approach on the transparency and quality of assessing occupational diseases and the usability of the six-step approach according to OPs and their satisfaction with it. Methods A randomized controlled trial. OPs in the control group used the standard information available. OPs in the intervention group used the six-step approach and accompanying educational materials. The actions and decisions of OPs in both groups were analysed using 17 performance indicators. To address the second issue, OPs used the six-step approach over 6 weeks and rated its usability and their satisfaction in relation to several aspects. Results The average score of the OPs in the intervention group (n = 110) was statistically significantly higher (11/17 performance indicators, 62% of the maximum score) than that of the OPs in the control group (n = 120, 5/17 performance indicators, 30% of the maximum score, P <0.001). The usability aspects of the six-step approach had mean scores of 7 and 8. Mean satisfaction with the six-step approach was 8. Conclusions The six-step approach resulted in better evidence-based and transparent decision-making about occupational diseases by OPs. Usability and satisfaction were rated as satisfactory by the OPs
AB - Background The prevention of occupational diseases is limited by a lack of insight into occupational exposure to risk. We developed a six-step approach to improve the diagnosis and reporting of occupational diseases and the selection of subsequent preventive actions by occupational physicians (OPs). Aims To evaluate the effect of the six-step approach on the transparency and quality of assessing occupational diseases and the usability of the six-step approach according to OPs and their satisfaction with it. Methods A randomized controlled trial. OPs in the control group used the standard information available. OPs in the intervention group used the six-step approach and accompanying educational materials. The actions and decisions of OPs in both groups were analysed using 17 performance indicators. To address the second issue, OPs used the six-step approach over 6 weeks and rated its usability and their satisfaction in relation to several aspects. Results The average score of the OPs in the intervention group (n = 110) was statistically significantly higher (11/17 performance indicators, 62% of the maximum score) than that of the OPs in the control group (n = 120, 5/17 performance indicators, 30% of the maximum score, P <0.001). The usability aspects of the six-step approach had mean scores of 7 and 8. Mean satisfaction with the six-step approach was 8. Conclusions The six-step approach resulted in better evidence-based and transparent decision-making about occupational diseases by OPs. Usability and satisfaction were rated as satisfactory by the OPs
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqw149
DO - https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqw149
M3 - Article
C2 - 27834225
SN - 0962-7480
VL - 67
SP - 13
EP - 19
JO - Occupational medicine (Oxford, England)
JF - Occupational medicine (Oxford, England)
IS - 1
ER -