Occupational medicine: a proposed systematic approach and model algorithm for the physician.
Lack of adequate training in occupational medicine for medical students has resulted in physicians who are ill prepared to evaluate workers potentially or actually exposed to an ever-expanding list of hazardous occupational agents. A systematic approach is presented for the physician in his contact with workers exposed or potentially exposed to hazardous industrial agents. The algorithm includes consideration of the worker, his environment, and the hazardous agent(s). Useful references are cited, basic considerations of the occupational medicine approach to patient contacts are discussed, and pitfalls and limitations the physician may encounter are presented.
D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D009787:Occupational Medicine