title: [The labor potential in occupational health services at the provincial level before the occupational health services act came into effect].
abstract: The author evaluates how far the personnel of occupational health services (OHS) at the provincial level is ready to undertake and implement the tasks provided by the Occupational Health Services Act at the eve of its coming into force. Personnel resources of OHS differ depending on the region. This applies to all groups of workers and is generally related to the provincial regulations and employment policy. Specialists-consultants constituted 12% of provincial OHS workers and the majority of them (60%) were employed on a full-time basis. Specialists in laryngology, ophthalmology and neurology were employed most frequently. Physicians with additional qualifications necessary for performing preventive examinations accounted for 16% of the total number of OHS workers; and those with acknowledged competence due to long experience--40%. Thus, 60% (400) of physicians should be trained in research institutions. As to qualifications of nurses, the situation is even worse. Only 6% of nurses were specialised in occupational health, and 35% of nurses employed at the provincial level completed relevant qualification courses. The qualifications of over 60% of nurses are insufficient for implementing tasks provided by the new OHS Act.
authors.affiliation: Zakładu Organizacji Ochrony Zdrowia Instytutu Medycyny Pracy, Lodzi.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Durasiewicz
mesh_terms: D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011044:Poland; D011634:Public Health; D013997:Time Factors; D000078329:Workforce