[Structure of human resources and activities of occupational medicine service in Poland in 2009 and dynamics and trends in recent years]

Abstract

Background: The main objective of the study was to provide the most important results concerning the state of human resources and activities of occupational medicine services in Poland in 2009 and their dynamics and trends in the recent years.

Materials and methods: Information about the state of human resources and activities of occupational medicine services has been obtained from statistical forms (more than 10,000) filled by occupational physicians carrying out the preventive g care of workers, and health care centers (or their separate parts), which are the primary occupational medicine units and regional occupational medicine centers (forms: MZ-35A, MZ-35B and MZ-35).

Results: In 2009, essential changes were noted in the structure of the primary occupational medicine units. 'Ihere was a significant decrease in the number of public health care centers. This phenomenon has resulted from the transformation of public health care centers into non-public structures.

Conclusions: The range of occupational medicine services has reached the level sufficient enough to achieve the objectives of the occupational health care mandatory assignment. However, the structure of the tasks actually performed by regional occupational medicine centers greatly varies, from focusing on the statutory tasks to their marginalization.