SCOPE AND INTERPROFESSIONAL RELATIONS OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE

Occupational health is preventive medicine in the working environment. The industrial physician gives attention to the healthfulness of the conditions and materials of the work and performs certain services; the latter embrace physical examinations, referral of patients to their family physicians when non-occupational disease is found, health education and counseling, emergency or palliative treatment for certain nonoccupational conditions, immunization against diseases to which workers are occupationally exposed, and certain nonoccupational preventive health services. There must be free communication and mutual understanding between plant physician and family physician. In situations requiring mediation by a third party the county medical society's grievance committee should hear both sides. The problems and procedures of the industrial physician should be set forth at meetings under the auspices of state medical societies. Such presentations help to foster good relations between plant and family physicians.