[Quality system and training of the occupational physician: a referral macromodel]

Abstract

The progressive changes in society, in the working environment and in organization are leading to changes in the role of the occupational physician. This process requires a continuing renewal of the training curricula of the University Schools of Occupational Medicine. The revised curricula provide more appropriate guidance by setting learning objectives (knowledge an occupational physician should have in each formative area) and training objectives (experience an occupational physician should have). These changes require a new approach in delivering a successful teaching-learning service. A Quality System (QS) for training is a management tool aimed at identifying the training products required by the complex customer system (society, institutions, students, firms). A QS anticipates customers' needs and satisfies them; it guarantees the quality of the results by monitoring resources, activities and processes that directly influence the quality of the service/training product. The system is mainly based on the development and exploitation of the internal expertise and on the innovative approach by the customer-oriented structures. The system is also based on innovation of methods (methods of planning, delivering and evaluating) and on rationalization of the processes and the connected procedures of training tools, professional abilities, training and managerial documentation. Therefore, although all Specialization Schools share the same mission, i.e. training of the Specialist in occupational medicine, each School should adopt a Quality Policy in accordance with strategic choices made by the School in relation to its specific, history, values, perceived vision and situation of the market.