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© 2006 Queensland Vocational Health Services Pty Ltd ABN 41 062 054 406 |
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Last updated: 15-Feb-2006 |
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For Patients
Occupational medicine
"Occupational Medicine" is a medical specialty where qualified doctors focus on the effects of work on health and (conversely) health on work. It understands the full range of workplace and environmental hazards (chemical, physical, biological & psychosocial), associated risks of exposure to such hazards, and how these may cause an adverse impact on biological health, such as injury or illness. It covers all occupational/work groupings, and understands the nature of such work in terms of inherent task requirements, environment, and human ergonomics.
Doctors who work in this field have sometimes been called "doctors in hard hats and steel capped boots". Worksite assessment is one of the core competencies. There is a particular focus on risk minimisation by the use of preventive methods and ensuring optimum fitness-for-work (FFW), in addition to the diagnosis, treatment, occupational rehabilitation and compensation of work-related injury or illness.
A Consultant Occupational Physician (COP) in Australia and New Zealand is a medical practitioner who, by extensive post-graduate study, examinations and experience, has been accepted as a recognised Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FAFOM). The FAFOM is the only qualification recognised by the medical registration boards in Australia and New Zealand for registration as a specialist in occupational medicine.
Information sheets
The following are in PDF format—
· Health Assessment—Patient Information Sheet
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Contact QVHS
Tel: 1300 722 679 Fax: 07 3847 9833
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