[Health surveillance of health care workers suffering from neurological, psychiatric or behavioural disorders].
BACKGROUND
Health care workers (HCWs) suffering from psychiatric or neurological disorders, alcohol or drug addiction, may pose a risk for the health and safety of patients. The occupational health specialist charged of medical surveillance of hospital workers (the so-called "Competent Physician") often needs to recognize functional impairment in HCWs.


METHODS
Cases of impairment in HCWs are reported, and management criteria are discussed, in order to define effective strategies to deal with the problem.


CONCLUSIONS
Alcoholism and other drug addictions are the most common causes of impairment, followed by emotional impairment, neurological and other physical disabilities. The primary responsibility of protecting the public, should be achieved while at the same time maintaining HCWs at work whenever possible.


CONCLUSIONS
Critical key-points are identified, and suggestions for management of functionally impaired HCWs are given.
Magnavita
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Istituto di Medicina del Lavoro, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma. nmagnavita@rm.unicatt.it
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D000465:Algorithms; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy