[Evaluation of clinical findings in occupational health examinations].
Findings in occupational health examinations of a regional service are analyzed. The service provides pre-employment, surveillance and work-capacity evaluations for about 150,000 workers from many types of work-sites and occupations. The average number of pre-employment examinations (during 1993-97) was 4,800/year, and there were relevant pathological findings in about 6.6%. Most findings involved the respiratory (11%) and cardiovascular systems (10%) or eyes (10%). The average annual number of surveillance system examinations was 10,750. There were relevant findings in about 16%, mainly of the respiratory system (17%) and noise-induced hearing damage (about 80%). Work-capacity examinations constituted about 35% of the work-load (9,250 examinees/year). In 53% a significant health problem affecting an individual's job performance was identified. Pathological findings were found in the musculoskeletal (21%), cardiovascular (7.5%), respiratory (3%), and neurological systems (2%). Occupational health examinations can identify areas in which prevention and intervention or cooperation with other medical specialties are indicated, as well as specific topics requiring further training of occupational physicians.
Carel
R
R
Dept. of Occupational Medicine, Kupat Holim, Negev Region, Beer Sheba.
Scheiner
E
E
D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010808:Physical Examination