The field of medical activity, the purpose of which is the prevention and treatment of occupational diseases, is called occupational pathology. Its specificity consists in eliminating or reducing the impact of adverse factors on a person during work. Many colloquially call occupational medicine occupational medicine. She is an absolutely independent medical discipline. The main objective of this activity is to support the good health of the work unit.
Professional pathologist - who is it?
Qualified specialists are involved in this area. A professional pathologist is a medical professional who consults patients, finds the causes of diseases, prescribes an examination, makes a diagnosis and plans further treatment. The doctor also develops methods that allow to detect such ailments in the early stages, possibly preventing their occurrence. The occupational pathologist prescribes preventive measures, and also carries out the rehabilitation of workers as part of health and social programs. The doctor’s competence includes establishing a direct relationship between existing diseases or disabilities with the characteristics of work and an examination that determines the suitability of a person to work in a particular place.
Occupational pathologists are daily busy analyzing the state of the population suitable for professional activity, especially that part of it that works in dangerous and unhealthy conditions. These doctors are trying to take all measures that will help reduce the risk levels of serious diseases. They are interested and show maximum efforts in carrying out complexes of various health-improving and preventive measures that help to reduce the effects of harmful factors.
What does this doctor do?
When asking the question: “Professional pathologist - who is this?”, It is necessary to find out what the doctor’s activity is aimed at. Services he provides:
- Consultations related to the diagnosis, treatment or rehabilitation of workers working in adverse conditions, as well as those employees who have already received an occupational disease or suffered as a result of an industrial accident. Such advice can be sought by people with disabilities, serious injuries or poisoning at work.
- An in-depth medical examination of a preventive nature, during which procedures are carried out confirming a person’s suitability for a certain professional activity, as well as an examination confirming the connection of the disease with the patient’s activity.
- Issuing directions for visiting diagnostic procedures with the aim of conducting additional examinations, sampling tests that reveal the level of disability.
Competence of a pathologist
The question again arises: "Occupational pathologist - who is this, what is his activity directed to?" If necessary, use the services of this doctor should clarify what actions on his part are legal. The patient who came to the reception should give the most accurate and truthful answers to questions about his state of health. To confirm the words of the worker, the doctor may ask you to submit the relevant documents, certificates, examination results or medical history.
Particularly important dialogue during the consultation includes issues related to working conditions. Without reliable information and truthful answers, it will be difficult for a pathologist to provide the necessary assistance.
At present, every enterprise has a mandatory procedure for workers - a medical examination. Having seen the list of rooms in which it is necessary to check in, many may wonder: “And who is the occupational pathologist?” This doctor determines the suitability of a person to work in his position, evaluates how his activities affect health, when necessary, offers treatment or gives recommendations on the necessary preventive procedures.
Range of duties
Occupational therapist is a specialist with higher education in the field of medicine. In addition, he must have a certificate attesting to his postgraduate training. Such a doctor carries out his work in specialized medical centers or in medical institutions.
According to the job description of the occupational therapist, his activities are carried out in close cooperation with the authorities of the sanitary and epidemiological service. The main responsibilities of a person in this profession is to analyze the state of health, especially of people who work in dangerous or harmful conditions, and activities aimed at reducing the risks of various diseases. The conclusion of the occupational pathologist about the employee’s state of health indicates his suitability for a particular type of work.
Diseases from the field of occupational pathology
- Pulmonary ailments of dust type (bronchitis, asthma, pneumoconiosis).
- Vibration disease.
- Microtrauma or musculoskeletal problems.
- Acute and chronic intoxications with mercury, lead, manganese, fluorine, chromium, carbon disulfide, beryllium, benzene, styrene, pesticides, etc.
- Skin diseases caused by the working environment (epidermitis, follicles, melasma, ulceration, dermatosis, dermatitis).