Realization of the roles and duties of occupational physicians in the employees receiving occupational health examination at Bangkok Phrapradaeng Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate if the realization of the roles and duties of occupational physicians in the employees receiving occupational health examination at Bangkok Phrapradaeng Hospital was correct or not. This will be beneficial for the employees receiving occupational health examination when facing with risks or threats to health in the workplace and it will help prevent hazards that may be caused by the work done each day which will affect the health in the long run.

Methods: This was cross-sectional survey research. Data were collected using the interview questionnaire with the group of employees working in various fields receiving occupational health examination at Bangkok Phrapradaeng Hospital from September 1^st to December 31^st, 2017.

Results: Of 228 employees receiving occupational health examination, 79 persons recognized the roles and duties of occupational physicians correctly (34.6%). When classified according to the reasons for examination into 4 groups, it was found that the employees receiving other occupational health examinations had the highest level of correct perception (51.6%), followed the employees having occupational health examination due to risk of work (36.7%), the employees having pre-employment examination (31.6%) and the employees who received periodic examination (28.3%). In addition, 79 employees with correct perception reported that they were examined or given advice by occupational physicians (52.2%); and 31.5% knew about occupational physicians from media like television, radio and internet. Also, 16.3% of them informed that occupational health physicians provided examinations in their workplaces.

Conclusion: The employees who were the samples of the study receiving occupational health examination were few aware of the roles and duties of occupational physicians. Promoting employees to understand the roles and duties of occupational medicine physicians correctly can increase efficiency and effectiveness of occupational medicine services. Further studies can be done in many aspects such as exploring the roles and duties of occupational physicians in safety officers in various industries in order to develop the occupational health.