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This elective is designed to introduce senior students to Occupational Medicine specialty care and services.  This will encompass common work injury assessment and care, specialized physical exams (i.e., Commercial Driver, Surveillance, Pre-Placement Work Exams, etc.), medical services mandated through OSHA and other regulatory agencies, population health considerations for work groups, preventive medicine concepts, environmental health issues, toxic exposures at work, and assessing individuals for capability to perform work tasks.

The following are experiences which may be included during the rotation:

  • Personal one on one time with multiple practitioners providing occupational medicine and preventive medicine services.  This includes clinic activities at any of LVHN “HealthWork’s” four clinics, LVHN Employee Health Office and “On-Site” locations (i.e., large skilled nursing facility employee health, etc.). Company “Safety and Health Walk-throughs” at various warehouses and manufacturers.  This would involve attendance with another experienced clinician with the goal of recognizing safety and health risks, reporting results to the corporate client and assisting with remedial plans.
  • Meet with Employee Assistance Program (EAP) professionals and learn about E.A.P. services, Audiologist (discuss hearing conservation and interpretation of audiogram reports), certified sleep lab facility, Industrial Hygienist.
  • Observe/Work at the local health department with the Medical Director (for General Preventive Medicine activities).
  • Observe and/or learn about Aviation Exams and the special considerations of the aerospace environment.
  • Learn and perform travel exams (utilize the Travax system).  This involves consideration of medical risks, vaccinations, medication prophylaxis, etc.
  • Learn firefighter health concerns:  perform firefighter exams while recognizing and utilizing NFPA 1582 standards.
  • Projects, as assigned, to utilize data for short research topics.

  • Attendance at quarterly “Safety Peer Group” meeting if present when scheduled (a topic expert presents on a pertinent safety and health issue –  attended by corporate and governmental agency representatives with local OSHA participation)

  • Respiratory Protection Program (29CFR1910.134) familiarization with performance of exams and mandated questionnaire review.

  • Commercial Driver exams with familiarization with regulatory requirements and other considerations

Objectives
  1. Identify, describe evaluation and treatment of the top ten Occupational Medicine Injuries or Illnesses
  2. Identify several strategies to protect workers at their job location.  This includes procedures to eliminate or reduce hazrdous exposures (Biological, Chemical and Physical)
  3. Describe the role of OSHA, NIOSH, ANSI, EPA, ASHRAE, ACGIH, FMCSA, ASSE, CDC, State DOH, Dept. of Environmental Protection (State), The Joint Commission, and other agencies and associations concerning safety and health.
  4. Learn and demonstrate how to write workplace task limitations and accommodations.
  5. Describe and understand the role of Pre-Placement Employment exams and mandated Surveillance Exams.
  6. Describe: the role of E.A.P. programs, Medical Review Officer physician activities, Respiratory Protection Programs and Hearing Conservation Programs.
  7. Describe the requirements for a physician to become certified to provide commercial driver examinations under the Department of Transportation and the process to complete these examinations.
  8. Describe possible elements of an employee wellness program.
  9. Understand and describe issues involving vaccination to prevent illness and transmission of disease in different work settings.
Evaluation
Students will be evaluated on a scale from "unacceptable" to "outstanding" in multiple categories by direct interaction with a preceptor.  They will be provided performance feedback within 5 days of start of the elective and a final assessment at completion of the elective (in writing).  This will include assessment on achievement of objectives listed as well as other general student performance skills observed

The goals of this rotation are for the student to be exposed to the workplace, work exposures, and relevant statutes, such as workers’ compensation. The goal is to return the injured worker back to work while maximizing the patient’s functional recovery. In addition, the student will learn to identify workplace and environmental hazards to reduce the risk of future injury or illness to the patient.


Objectives
  1. Gain exposure to complete patient histories, with an emphasis on occupation and exposure
  2. Gain exposure to the selection of appropriate diagnostic studies in relation to the occupational injury or exposure
  3. Review relevant occupational IT, databases, guidelines or other resources when providing a summary to the clinical preceptor
  4. Gain exposure to legal and regulatory authority relating to protection and promotion of the public’s health
  5. Assess individual risk for occupational/environmental disorders using an occupational history

Evaluation

The student will see patients at the James A. Haley or Bay Pines VA Occupational Health clinics. The  teaching methods used include patient based care, didactic instruction by the preceptor, coordinators or staff, self-directed study and topic assignment. The methods used for evaluation include, 360 evaluations (nursing/clinic/administrative staff)  and preceptor evaluations with an emphaisis on the goals of the rotation. Students will be exposed to medical surveillance programs, blood borne pathogen exposure and protocol, patient safety, infection control and be expected to attend the morbidity and mortality meetings and meeting associated with each of the programs listed above.