October/November 2018 (vol. 15/3)

ContentsFeaturesNewsLegal NewsResearch DigestResearch PlusCPD

Personal Learning Zone in this issue

Summary:

FEATURED ARTICLES

This issue of Occupational Health [at Work] features a Personal Learning Zone (PLZ) article recommended for continuing professional development (CPD). The assignment questions, ‘Personal learning statement’ and ‘Certificate of engagement’ are available to subscribers here . These will also be stored in your password-protected PLZ. The PLZ will help you document your own CPD. Occupational health physicians and nurses, occupational hygienists and other professionals can use the resource in support of their specialism’s revalidation or CPD requirements.

Pages 17–21. Managing quality in occupational health. Quality management is an approach designed to ensure that customer expectations are always satisfied and that services are continuously improved. Its application to occupational health can ensure not only that the best  possible health outcomes are achieved, but also that the OH function’s contribution to the business is optimised. Quality management systems involve several key components, including auditing, documentation and certification.

ADDITIONAL CPD

The following articles, news and research items are suggested reading for CPD and professional revalidation. Subscribers can complete their online Personal Learning Zone CPD record here.

Page 6-7. Wellbeing initiatives are seen by many employers as ways to improve the health, attendance and productivity of their employees. A study by RAND Europe found that most  interventions are not sufficiently well designed or properly measured to provide

concrete evidence of effectiveness. Organisations often focus on indicators that may have little or no link to staff health and wellbeing.

 

Page 22-25. Menopause can be associated with a variety of symptoms that can have implications for work, with some women even considering quitting their jobs as they find symptoms too difficult to manage in the workplace. Open dialogue, information and supportive policies are among the steps that can help address this important issue.

Pages 36-38. Shiftwork can have serious implications for the health and safety of workers, though it may be difficult to distinguish between the effects of shiftwork per se from those caused by fatigue. This article discusses the evidence – both regarding the risks to health and safety, and interventions to support shift workers.

Pages 39-42. Our compendium of recently published research includes an analysis of the ongoing discord regarding the treatment of people with chronic fatigue syndrome – a new NICE guideline is in preparation. A systematic review highlights the link between physician burnout and patient safety – particularly affecting practitioners early in their careers – while a major cohort study identifies a link between diabetes and long working hours in women.

Author: The At Work Partnership Ltd

Occupational Health at Work October/November 2018 (vol. 15/3) pp43

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