Competency 1 – Good Clinical Care: Occupational history taking where relevant
Objective: to be competent in the assessment and management of a case which has a significant occupational health component.
AREA OF COMPETENCE:
OCCUPATIONAL HISTORY TAKING WHERE RELEVANT.
Obtaining an occupational history is an important part of history taking and examination.
It has been estimated that on average an individual spends one third of their waking time in work. Therefore to manage patients effectively it is important to understand what tasks an individual might undertake when working and recognise the impact of work on an individual’s health and wellbeing and visa versa. A missed diagnosis that is occupationally related could impact not only the patient but also their co-workers, and failure to appreciate an occupational link can lead to reduced efficacy of medical treatment.
