Preparation and Challenges in Developing a Big Data Analysis Framework in Occupational Medicine in Indonesia.

This mini review explores the transformative potential of big data analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) in reforming occupational medicine in Indonesia. Emphasizing the preconditions, case studies, and benefits, it underscores the role of big data in enhancing worker well-being. The review highlights the importance of informative health big data, especially in high-risk industries, with examples of case studies of AI implementation in occupational medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and other relevant scenarios. While acknowledging the challenges of AI implementation, the essay identifies the role of academic and professional organizations as pioneers in big data utilization. Six potential benefits that are identified, including improved patient care and efficient resource allocation, demonstrate the transformative impact of big data analysis. The proposed pathway of preparation underscores the need for awareness, skill enhancement, and collaboration, addressing challenges in data management and stakeholder engagement. The conclusion emphasizes continuous assessment, feasibility studies, and commitment as essential steps in advancing occupational medicine through big data analysis.

Occupational Medicine, Go Above and Beyond.

The population of people in Japan over 65 years old is expected to exceed 30% by 2025. As the society ages, there are not only healthy workers and employers, but also an increasing number of diseased or injured workers. Falls, the most common occupational hazard, increase in incidence with age. The management of osteoporosis and prevention of bone fractures from falls are emerging in elderly female workers, to reduce the loss of work productivity. Rheumatoid arthritis is a representative musculoskeletal disease that causes functional decline because of joint damage mainly in working women, but appropriate treatment improves disease activity and work productivity in workers with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also important not only to digitize subjective information by converting it into digital form (digitization), but also to digitalize the physiological information related to health, labor and disease (digitalization). In the future, artificial intelligence (AI) will be able to analyze vast amounts of physiological information (big data) obtained from workers and patients via the Internet of things (IoT), which will improve the information value linked to health promotion and optimal treatment practices, and contribute to the Digital transformation (DX).

Predictors of the return to work for pregnant employees on preventive leave: Patients from an occupational medicine consultation in Switzerland.

According to the Swiss legislation on maternity protection in the workplace (OProMa), if pregnant workers are exposed to occupational hazards and no protective measures are taken, a gynecologist will prescribe a certificate of preventive leave and the women must stop working. Returning to work is only possible if job adjustments are made. This study aims to evaluate the burden of absences on companies and to examine the predictors of the return to work for pregnant workers on preventive leave, by examining both the probability of return to work and the time required to return to work. The study sample includes data on 258 workplaces of pregnant workers on preventive leave, collected during an occupational medicine consultation aimed at supporting the implementation of the OProMa. Information is available on the worker (age, date of consultation), the hazards to which she is exposed, the company's knowledge of the OProMa and whether a risk analysis exists. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis are carried out. In 58% of the workplaces, it was not possible to return to work before the end of the pregnancy. This corresponds to an average absence of 4.5 months. In 42% of the workplaces, a return to work was possible thanks to workplace adaptations. A conforming risk analysis and a full knowledge of the OProMa for companies, and an early visit to the occupational medicine consultation for workers are good predictors of the likelihood of returning to work. Younger age and exposure to certain types of risks are factors that influence the duration of preventive leave. The implementation of OProMa in Switzerland poses serious challenges, but early identification of occupational hazards and practices that anticipate compliance with the law in the company increase the return to work in safety for pregnant workers.

Improving undergraduate education of occupational health and occupational medicine appling massive open online courses & problem-based learning.

BACKGROUND: The learning of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine in undergraduate college students in China has been hindered by various factors. This study aimed to explore the effects of the application of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) & Problem-based learning (PBL) in the learning of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine in undergraduate college students in China. METHODS: Students enrolled in 2017 and 2018 were categorized in the control group and study group, and received PBL learning and MOOC + PBL learning, respectively. The effects of learning were assessed by scores of final exam, satisfaction degree of students, and feedbacks. RESULTS: The mean score of the final exam was not significantly different between the two groups. However, the further comparison by levels of scores showed that the percentages of good and excellent were both significantly higher in the study group than control group. The overall satisfaction degree was significantly higher in the study group than control group. In addition, the scores of the 3 dimensions of satisfaction degree, i.e. learning preparation, learning process, and learning effect, were all significantly higher in the study group than control group. The feedbacks of the students showed that they thought MOOC + PBL learning could better improve the learning efficacy, despite a substantial proportion of students reported that MOOC + PBL learning more time-consuming. CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that the combination of MOOC and PBL in the learning of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine is an effective method capable of improving the learning efficacy in college students of Prophylactic Medicine. Further efforts are needed to optimize the MOOC platform to provide a friendlier interface.

Noise-induced hearing loss in the pre-industrial era: early contributions in De Morbis Artificum by Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714).

OBJECTIVE: Noise-induced hearing loss is the most prevalent occupational disease worldwide and is historically associated with the Industrial Revolution. This study analyses early descriptions of this disorder during the pre-industrial period in the work of the Italian physician Bernardino Ramazzini (1633-1714). METHOD: Primary and secondary historical literature were reviewed. RESULTS: Ramazzini described hearing loss in corn millers and in coppersmiths and recognised that this disorder is irreversible and progressive when exposure to noise continues. He also seemed to describe tinnitus. He further suggested the use of earplugs as a preventive measure for these classes of workers. Ramazzini's anatomical and pathological knowledge appears to be based on ancient authors; he did not discuss contemporaneous medical authors' work on hearing function. CONCLUSION: Despite some limitations, Ramazzini's work appears pioneering for his time and represents an important milestone in the history of otolaryngology.

COVID-19 in Workplace Settings: Lessons Learned for Occupational Medicine in the UK.

This paper addresses lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic from a UK Occupational Medicine perspective to permit comparison with other national accounts. In spite of good prior research and statute, the necessary resources to protect workers' health were seriously lacking when the pandemic struck. Weak public health guidance, which did not recognise dominant airborne transmission, was applied to workplaces, leaving workers and others unprotected, especially in respect to Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE). The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as regulator was lacking, for example, in not producing guidance to protect HealthCare Workers (HCW) who were amongst the most at risk. The UK COVID-19 Public Inquiry should address shortcomings such as these, but recommendations must be accompanied by robust means to ensure appropriate implementation. These should range from substantial measures to improve indoor air quality, to a permanent pandemic management organization with adequate resources. The enforcing authority has to be obliged to publish more specific workplace guidance than the public health authorities. Occupational medicine as a discipline needs to be better prepared, and hence to assert its responsibility towards high standards of workers' health protection. Future research has to include investigating the best means of mitigation against airborne infection and the management of post-acute covid sequelae.

COVID-19 Marked a Change in the Scope of Occupational Medicine from Occupational to Work-Related Diseases and Total Worker Health®.

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged occupational medicine, while its focus had already shifted from occupational diseases to work-related illnesses. Such a broader scope allowed the inclusion of transmissible diseases among the causes for concern in working settings. COVID-19 has had a profound impact globally, resulting in millions of infections, often lethal. From its appearance, COVID-19 was found to affect specific groups of workers at higher risk of contracting the virus due to their occupation or workplace conditions, which accounts for its consideration as a potential work-related disease. This overview examines various aspects of COVID-19 based on articles published in our journal. Specifically, the epidemiology of COVID-19 is discussed, including mortality rates and groups at higher risk. The diagnosis, measures to prevent contagion, vaccination efforts, long-term effects, and psychosocial factors are also summarized. The emerging picture is that COVID-19 has been a trigger accelerating the change of paradigm of occupational medicine, which is more and more concerned with prevention. Occupational Health contributes to health promotion and Total Worker Health®.

Estudio transversal. Dolor lumbar y medidas ergonómicas en puestos de trabajo en oficinas / Cross-sectional study. Low back pain and ergonomic measures in office workstations

Introducción: La mayoría de los casos de lumbalgia son de origen muscular y en muchos casos no se identifica una causa subyacente. La prevalencia en trabajadores de oficina es muy variable con valores que pueden llegar hasta el 64%, en muchos casos relacionada con factores ergonómicos y psicosociales. Objetivo: Nuestro objetivo trata de asociar la lumbalgia con dimensiones ergonómicas del puesto de trabajo en oficinistas. Material y Métodos: Se ha diseñado un estudio transversal descriptivo determinando ocho dimensiones ergonómicas, junto con condiciones demográficas y antropométricas de una muestra de trabajadores de oficina. Resultados: Se han analizado los datos de 40 trabajadores, un 77,5% de ellos mujeres, con una edad de 52,1 ± 7,4 años. Ninguna de las medidas determinadas se ha asociado con un riesgo significativo de padecer lumbalgia. Conclusiones: A pesar de la negatividad de nuestros resultados, la relación de lumbalgia con edad, género y hábito sedentario descrita en la literatura, debería facilitar la inclusión de programas de promoción de la salud osteomuscular, orientados a la prevención de la lumbalgia en este colectivo. (AU)

Introduction: Most cases of low back pain are of muscular origin and in many cases no underlying cause is identified. The prevalence in office workers is very variable with values that can reach up to 64%, in many cases related to ergonomic and psychosocial factors. Objetive: Our objective is to associate low back pain with ergonomic dimensions of the workplace in office workers. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross−sectional study was designed to determine eight ergonomic dimensions, together with demographic and anthropometric conditions of a sample of office workers. Results: Data from 40 workers were analyzed, 77.5% of whom were women, with an age of 52.1 ± 7.4 years. None of the measures determined was associated with a significant risk of low back pain. Conclusions: In spite of the negativity of our results, the relationship of low back pain with age, gender and sedentary habits described in the literature should facilitate the inclusion of osteomuscular health promotion programs aimed at preventing low back pain in this group.(AU)

La Teoría de las Demandas y Recursos Laborales: Nuevos Desarrollos en la Última Década / [Job Demands-Resources theory: New developments over the last decade]

Este artículo realiza una descripción general de la teoría de las demandas y recursos laborales (DRL). Se describen los supuestos básicos y se destacan los nuevos hallazgos empíricos e innovaciones teóricas en relación con la teoría. Se analizan cuatro innovaciones principales de la última década, a saber: (a) el enfoque persona × situación de la DRL, (b) la teoría DRL multinivel, (c) nuevos enfoques proactivos en dicha teoría y (d) el modelo de recursos trabajo-hogar. Después de examinar las implicaciones prácticas, se profundiza en las posibles investigaciones futuras que incluyan intervenciones desde la teoría DRL, enfoques de equipo y demandas y recursos de otros ámbitos de la vida.(AU)

This article gives an overview of Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory. We outline the basic propositions and highlight new empirical findings and theoretical innovations in relation to the theory. We discuss four major innovations of the past decade, namely (a) the person × situation approach of JD-R, (b) multilevel JD-R theory, (c) new proactive approaches in JD-R theory, and (d) the Work-Home Resources model. After discussing practical implications, we elaborate on opportunities for future research, including JD-R interventions, team-level approaches, and demands and resources from other life domains.(AU)

Causation in different scientific disciplines: A comparison of standards in occupational medicine and particle physics.

Occupational medical research involves the collection and analysis of data to draw conclusions about the causes and prevention of workplace injuries and diseases. However, there has been criticism that some studies lack rigour in determining causation. This article examines the similarities and differences between occupational medical research and particle physics in terms of their approach to hypothesis testing, statistical methods, and confounder control. The article also explores the use of criteria such as the Bradford Hill criteria to determine causation in occupational medical research. While particle physics is often viewed as a highly rigorous science, occupational medical research also employs rigorous scientific methods to ensure findings are accurate and reliable. However, there is room for improvement in determining causation in occupational medical research, particularly in the use of criteria such as the Bradford Hill criteria to guide the development of more robust studies. It is essential for occupational medical research to adhere to rigorous scientific methods to deliver findings that can help reduce workplace injuries and diseases. The use of criteria such as the Bradford Hill criteria can ensure that the conclusions drawn. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(4):333-9.

Long-term follow-up study of work status among patients with work-related mental disorders referred to departments of occupational medicine in Denmark.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the 5 year work status in patients referred for suspected work-related common mental disorders. To develop a prognostic model. DESIGN: Register-based nationwide longitudinal follow-up study. SETTING: All departments of occupational medicine in Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: 17 822 patients aged 18-67 years, seen for the first time at a Department of Occupational Medicine in Denmark from 2000 to 2013 and diagnosed with stress, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or other mental disorders. INTERVENTIONS: All patients were seen for diagnostic assessment and causal evaluation of the work-relatedness of their disorders. Some departments offered patients with stress disorders psychological treatment, which, however, was not organised according to patient selection or type of treatment. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Register data were collected for 5 year periods before and after the patients' first assessment at a department. Weekly percentages of patients are presented according to work status. The outcome in the prognostic model was a high Work Participation Score (ie, working>75% of potential work weeks/year) at 5 year follow-up. RESULTS: For all subgroups of patients, a high proportion were working (>75%) 1-5 years before assessment, and all experienced a large reduction in work status at time of assessment. At 1 year follow-up, almost 60% of patients with stress were working, whereas in the other patient subgroups, less than 40% were working. In the following years, practically no increase was observed in the percentage of patients working in any of the subgroups. Based on these 5 year follow-up data, we developed a work participation model with only moderate discrimination and calibration. CONCLUSIONS: In Denmark, not all return to previous work status 5 years after a referral due to a suspected work-related common mental disorder. We developed a prognostic model with only moderate discrimination and calibration for long-term work participation after suggested work-related common mental disorders.

A Comprehensive Obesity Benefit as a Guide for Employers on the Core Components of Obesity Care: Guidance From the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) Roundtable on Obesity.

OBJECTIVE: The need to confront the obesity epidemic and its impact on employers requires a serious look at how we address the treatment of obesity. This article focuses on the core components of obesity care and the need for employers to offer a comprehensive obesity benefit (COB) as part of employee insurance coverage. METHODS: In May 2022, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine convened a roundtable meeting, which brought together five corporate medical directors and representatives from aerospace/defense and energy industries to learn about the disease of obesity and provide clinical insights regarding health and safety in their respective industries. The goals of the program were to provide awareness of benefits for the treatment of obesity and identify the feasibility for employers of implementing a COB for their employees. Participants learned how a comprehensive approach to covering obesity treatments is necessary, and what benefits should be offered to employees. RESULTS: Participants were invited to review the insurance benefits they currently offer to employees and compare them to the COB. Outcomes were limited by a lack of participation by the employers invited to participate. Participants identified actions that need to be addressed for employers to develop a more comprehensive approach to obesity care. CONCLUSION: Implementing a COB can help employers increase access and utilization of comprehensive obesity care by employees.