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. 2016 Jun;7(2):143-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2015.12.004. Epub 2015 Dec 31.

Occupational Health: Meeting the Challenges of the Next 20 Years

John Harrison  1 , Leonie Dawson  2
Affiliations

Occupational Health: Meeting the Challenges of the Next 20 Years

John Harrison et al. Saf Health Work. 2016 Jun.

Abstract

Background: The industrial revolution that took place in the United Kingdom (UK) between 1760 and 1830 led to profound social change. Occupational medicine was concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of occupational diseases, that is, diseases directly caused by exposure to workplace hazards. A similar pattern of development has occurred globally.

Methods: A review of relevant literature.

Results: The international conceptualization and development of occupational health occurred during the 20th century. A new paradigm for occupational health has emerged that extends the classical focus on what might be termed "health risk management" that is, the focus on workplace hazards and risk to health to include the medical aspects of sickness absence and rehabilitation, the support and management of chronic noncommunicable diseases, and workplace health promotion.

Conclusion: The future strategic direction for occupational health will be informed by a needs analysis and a consideration of where it should be positioned within future healthcare provision. What are the occupational health workforce implications of the vision for occupational health provision? New challenges and new ways of working will necessitate a review of the competence and capacity of the occupational health workforce, with implications for future workforce planning.

Keywords: human resources management; occupational health; occupational medicine; paradigm shift; workforce planning.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
World Health Organisation healthy workplace model. Note. From: World Health Organisation (WHO). 5 Keys to Healthy Workplaces. WHO global model for action [Internet]. Geneva (Switzerland): WHO. 2011 [cited 2015 Feb 25]. Available from: http://www.who.int/occupational_health/5_keys_EN_web.pdf?ua=1. Copyright 2011, WHO.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Stepwise development of occupational health services. Note. From: J. Rantanen, Basic occupational health services, 3rd ed, p. 8 [Internet]. Helsinki (Finland): Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 2007 [cited 2015 Apr 04]. Available from: http://www.ttl.fi/en/publications/Electronic_publications/Documents/BOHS3Edition28Sept2007_3_.pdf. Copyright 2007, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Reproduced with permission. IFS, informal sector; ILO, International Labour Organisation; OD, occupational disease; OHS, occupational health service; PHC, primary health care; SE, self-employed; SME, small and medium-sized workplace; SSE, small enterprise.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Risk assessment–risk management cycle. Note. From: J Rantanen, Basic occupational health services [Internet]. 2007 [cited 2015 Apr 04]. Available from: http://www.ttl.fi/en/publications/Electronic_publications/Documents/BOHS3Edition28Sept2007_3_.pdf. Copyright 2007, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Reproduced with permission.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Differentiation of the working age population . Note. From: The Council for Work and Health, Planning the future: delivering a vision of good work and health in the UK for the next 5-20 years and the professional resources to deliver it, p. 7 [Internet]. UK: The Council for Work and Health. 2014 [cited 2015 Mar 31]. Available from: https://www.som.org.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/Office/docs/Planning_the_Future-OH_and_its_Workforce-April_2014.pdf. Copyright 2014, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Reproduced with permission. SME, small and medium-sized workplace.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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