Tutorial 3: Sustainability and Occupational Health Flashcards
Define sustainability
The ability to continue over a period of time
What 3 levels of sustainability relate to healthcare in the UK?
Global sustainability
Sustainability of the NHS
Personal and career sustainability
Why is global sustainability important to healthcare?
Material inequality Population and consumption Resource depletion Climate change Loss of biodiversity Crisis in healthcare
What actions can be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Be more active More plant based diet Increase renewable energy resources Educate on carbon literacy and numeracy Promote patient resilience
Why is the important to the sustainability of the NHS?
Funding
Workforce
What can be done in the NHS to make clinical care more sustainable?
Prioritise environmental health
Substitute harmful chemicals with safer alternatives
Reduce and safely dispose waste
Improve travel strategies
Purchase and serve sustainably grown food
Safely manage and dispose of pharmaceuticals
Adopt greener building design and construction. Purchase safer, more sustainable products
What is the original WHO definition of health and the proposed new one?
A complete state of physical, mental and social well-being and not just the absence of disease
Resilience, adaptation and self-management in the face of physical, social and emotional challenges
What are the personal challenges in sustaining a career in medicine?
Workload
Time management
Increasing complexity of care
Relentless arrival if mail and blood results and being able to respond diligently
Care vs. cure for long term conditions
Running a business over time
Ensuring that your team works harmoniously and effectively
What should be covered in a full occupational history?
Present and previous jobs Potential exposure to chemicals or other hazards If symptoms are worsened during exposure to the hazard Duration and intensity of exposure Personal protection Other workers suffering similar symptoms Known environmental hazards in use Hobbies/pets/work overseas/moonlighting
What is the purpose of a ‘fit note’?
Facilitates earlier discussion about returning to work and about rehabilitation
Now includes items of consideration for employers when patient returns to work:
- Phased return
- Adjusted hours
- Adaptations to the workplace
- Amendment of duties
Who can fill out a fit note and when is one required?
Only a doctor
When a patient has been off for more than 7 consecutive days
What is the role of occupational health specialists?
To support and help people stay in work and live full, healthy lives:
- Help prevent work-related ill health
- Advice on fitness for work, workplace safety, the prevention of occupational injuries and disease
- Recommend appropriate adjustments in the workplace to help people stay in work
- Improve the attendance and performance of the workforce
- Provide rehabilitation to help people return to work and give advice on alternative suitable work for people with health problems
- Promote health in the workplace and healthy lifestyles
- Recommend and implement appropriate policies to maintain a safe and healthy workplace
- Conduct research into work related health issues
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations including minimising and eliminating workplace hazards
- Advise on medical health and ill-health retirement
What effect does unemployment have on health?
Higher mortality
Poorer general health - long-standing illness, limiting long-standing illness
Poorer mental health - psychological distress, minor psychological/psychiatric morbidity
Higher medical consultation, medical consumption and hospital admission rates
What effect does re-employment have on health?
Improved self-esteem
Improve general and mental health
Reduced psychological distress
Reduced minor psychiatric morbidities
