last updated:12/03/2012 @ 12:12 pm
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Competency 2

Competency 2 – Good clinical care: clinical risk management and decision making 
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Objective – to understand and manage the legal and ethical implications of advice on suitability for work

Key Messages
1. return to work is one indicator of a successful outcome to clinical treatment 
2. individuals do not need to be 100% fit to return to work 
3. modified and adjusted work can help people with health problems return to work earlier
Area of competence Knowledge Skills Attitudes
Fitness for work Understand the process of rehabilitation in the context of return to work and the support services available 
Know the basis of the UK sickness certification scheme. Know when and how certificates should be issued. Understand the impact of certification on work		 Access evidence based return to work times

 

 Appreciate the benefits of employment on overall health, and the negative effects of worklessness and unsuitable jobs
Risk management Understand that advice and treatment of common conditions may impact on fitness for work
Understand the concepts of hazard and risk and of occupational and environmental risk assessment and management		 Discuss the likely outcomes of any medical treatment or intervention on fitness for work Be willing to listen to a patient’s views, aspirations and fears
Understand the differing needs of employer and employee
Decision making Appreciate priorities – clinical, financial, legal and ethical
Be aware of the medico-legal and ethical implications of decision making and accurate recording of data
Take into account function and capability in addition to diagnosis		 Analyse and synthesise the interaction between clinical and medico-legal aspects of work and health Be willing to seek advice – and to change own views and to accept a patient can disagree with advice
Recognise the need to take unpalatable or difficult decisions about ‘fitness for work’ issues
Be willing to accept that a diagnostic label does not reflect functional capacity
Resources

ROLE PLAY 1 Needle stick injury
ROLE PLAY 2 Pregnancy and laboratory work
ROLE PLAY 3
ROLE PLAY 4 
CASE STUDY 1 
CASE STUDY 2
CASE BASED DISCUSSION 3 Train driver and PTSD
Powerpoint presentations:
An introduction to occupational health – part 1 
An introduction to occupational health – handout
Is your patient fit for work? Stakeholders and standards
HSE, Health and Safety Law and Appointed/Approved Doctors
Effects of ill health on work 
Using an occupational history
History taking, Fitness for Work 
Links between health and work 
Statement of Fitness for Work: the Fit Note 

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