Development and Evaluation of a Training Program on Occupational Health Research and Surveillance in Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to increase knowledge and skills regarding occupational health surveillance and research in professionals. METHODS: Following the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation model, several training modules have been designed and implemented in the course of 2016. Evaluation forms were distributed to 42 participants before the start and after each training module to measure changes in knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy. RESULTS: The majority of the participants were satisfied and found the training relevant and interesting for adult learners. The level of self-efficacy increased after the trainings. Females and occupational physicians displayed higher scores than men and other disciplines. After 1 year, the self-efficacy level decreased, but the level was still substantially higher than before the training. CONCLUSIONS: Feedback on the implemented training program was favorable. Participants were able to acquire and apply competencies in the subject matter at short and long term.

Presence and use of automated external defibrillators in occupational setting, Belgium.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies focus on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the occupational setting. Therefore, this study describes the presence and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) at Belgian workplaces during the period 2012-2014. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A self-constructed questionnaire was developed and sent to internal prevention counselors. RESULTS: In total, 767 companies filled out the questionnaire. An AED was available in 48.8% of the companies. Presence mainly depended on the number of persons present in the company (both workers and non-workers (e.g., visitors, clients)) and on some occupational cardiovascular risks but was often not based on a well-conducted risk analysis. Training of workers and AED maintenance were provided appropriately. An AED was used for shocking 23 times of which 10 persons survived. CONCLUSIONS: Acquiring an AED in the occupational setting is seldom based on a well-conducted risk analysis. Therefore, instructions and criteria are needed to come to a rational decision. Furthermore, a registry on AED utilization in the workplace (e.g., with data on long-term survival) should be set up. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(5):603-611.

Occupational health care for the 21st century: from health at work to workers' health.

A survey of relevant national and international legislation and recommendations on occupational health (OH) organization revealed two fundamental approaches to OH: 1) the historically older labor approach, essentially seeing OH care as an obligation of the employer derived from the labor contract, and 2) an emerging health approach, including all workers and all aspects of health, A draft decree on OH in Flanders seeks to integrate the two approaches. It extends the scope of OH to all workers (not only employees), introduces holistic health surveillance, rejects the incapacity concept, provides for strong integration of health and workplace surveillance, and stresses ethics. Workers' satisfaction is seen as the first criterion in quality control. Systematic data collection and analysis, and when necessary, scientific research are recommended. Additional resources for OH services should be provided by stakeholders other than employers.

Workplace visits versus case studies in undergraduate occupational medicine teaching.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness and acceptability of two active approaches in teaching occupational medicine to undergraduate medical students. METHODS: Two training formats were compared: in 2007, fourth year students were sent on a workplace visit, and the next-year group discussed real life case studies. Students' perceptions were obtained by assessment questionnaire. RESULTS: In both the groups, all learning objectives were equally achieved with one exception. Awareness of risk factors and preventive measures was significantly higher in the group with workplace visits. However, students rated the case scenarios as more relevant. CONCLUSIONS: Until now, many training methods have not been fully investigated. Our study demonstrates that depending on the interest, experiences, and resources of teachers, students, and universities, both worksite visits and case studies can be effectively applied in teaching occupational medicine.