Primer on the Value of Occupational Health Services 

“While work-related medical care fills a critical need, occupational health is much more than a reactive healthcare delivery system. Occupational medicine is a preventive medical specialty.” 

Introduction to Occupational Health 

Occupational health services have a rich history. There is evidence that ancient Egyptians provided work-related medical care to manual laborers. Bernardino Ramazzini, the “father of occupational medicine,” published his seminal book on occupational diseases and industrial hygiene in 1700. From about 1760 to 1840, the industrial revolution ushered in a new era of occupational medicine as the economy transitioned from agrarian and handicraft-oriented to a marketplace dominated by the use of machines and mass production.1, 2, 3 

Today, occupational health services are often associated with workers’ compensation medical care, which involves employer-paid insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of employees with work-related injuries and illnesses. In most U.S. jurisdictions, a company is insured by a carrier or state fund, or it is self-insured for workers’ compensation. Medical and indemnity costs are directly related to the severity of an injury or illness, recovery time, and whether it results in work absence or a disability determination. The outcome may also be influenced by an employee’s overall physical and mental health, socio-economic status, and degree of job satisfaction.  

However, while work-related medical care fills a critical need, occupational health is much more than a reactive healthcare delivery system. Occupational medicine is a preventive medical specialty, and the pathway to board-certification for practicing physicians is through the American Board of Preventive Medicine. Consequently, WorkCare offers proactive solutions that collectively help protect and promote employee health – from hire to retirement.  

What WorkCare Offers  

At WorkCare, we facilitate access to physical exams and substance testing, provide on-site and virtual care for work-related medical complaints, and offer guidance on recovery and safe return to work after an absence. Among our capabilities, we help employers in all types of industries: 

• Identify and mitigate the health effects of exposures to hazards such as noise, extreme temperatures, toxic materials, physical exertion, repetitive movement, and stress.  

• Respond appropriately to findings from exams and tests designed to detect physical and mental health conditions or substances that may impair an employee’s ability to work safely. 

• Introduce preventive interventions such as immunizations, biometric screenings, ergonomic assessments, and guidance on proper stretching and body mechanics. 

• Provide resources on sleep hygiene, nutrition, physical fitness, smoking cessation, stress management, and other modifiable behaviors associated with the development of chronic diseases, costly medical care, absence, and presenteeism (being present but not fully engaged at work.) 

• Leverage the use of technology, including artificial intelligence, to schedule, track, and record service delivery functions and measure the impact of occupational health and safety interventions. 

• Effectively manage work-related conditions at onset to ensure care is responsive, based on best medical practices, and that it helps facilitate an injured or ill employee’s full recovery. 

 Influencing Factors in Occupational Health Services 

 While workplaces have similarities, no two are exactly alike. Multiple influencing factors are typically at play in an occupational health service delivery scenario. They include but are not limited to:   

• Industry type 

• Geographic location(s) 

• Applicable regulations 

• Industry standards  

• Company protocols 

• Workforce composition 

• Hazard exposure risks 

• Competition 

• Provider referral patterns 

• Community resources 

• Workplace core values 

Stakeholders in any given community cover the gamut, from public and not-for-profit entities, to self-insured and insured private-sector companies. Influencers include shareholders, labor unions, regulatory bodies, workers’ compensation and disability insurers, and third-party administrators. In addition to the employees who receive services, others with a stake in workforce health protection and promotion include: 

• C-suite executives 

• Environment, health, and safety professionals 

• Risk managers  

• Corporate sustainability experts 

• Human resource managers 

• Claims and case managers 

• Healthcare providers 

• Attorneys 

• Regulators and inspectors 

• Elected officials 

• Academic institutions  

• Trade groups and industry associations 

WorkCare Adds Value 

On one hand, the delivery of certain occupational health services, such as drug screens, respiratory tests, and hearing exams, are relatively routine. On the other hand, it quickly becomes apparent that occupational health expertise is invaluable when complexities, competing priorities, and unanticipated exposure risks inevitably arise. That’s why the WorkCare team delivers customizable, cost-conscious, and comprehensive total employee health management solutions. Whether occupational health services are delivered on-site, off-site, or remotely, we make sure they are both scalable and versatile.  

WorkCare was founded in 1984. Our 40-plus years of experience show that when employees get prompt care and cases at risk for absence are flagged for attention, employers’ costs decline, and employees’ health outcomes improve. WorkCare’s occupational health professionals: 

• Are trained to identify the root causes of work-related injuries, illnesses, and musculoskeletal discomfort.  

• Recommend solutions that support clients’ safety initiatives and efforts to manage legal liability and regulatory compliance concerns.  

• Take the worry out of initial job placement and return-to-work decisions by providing medical expertise and regulatory oversight.  

• Help employers manage work-related injuries and illnesses by facilitating access to the right care, at the right time, in the right setting.  

The sooner an injured employee confers with a WorkCare occupational health provider, the sooner their discomfort and recovery concerns can be addressed. In most non-emergency cases, first aid for commonly occurring conditions such as muscle strains, minor burns and cuts, bites, or rashes, can be safely self-administered in the workplace with guidance from a WorkCare provider. Our team provides care guidance before a clinic visit that is likely to result in medical treatment beyond first aid, which will generate a workers’ compensation claim and may need to be reported to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or an applicable state agency.  

When employees use WorkCare’s 24/7 telehealth program to speak with a provider, they typically opt for self-care and remain on the job. When they choose to visit an off-site clinic, or a WorkCare provider recommends referral for further evaluation and potential treatment, our team assists with appointment scheduling. A WorkCare physician follows up with the treating provider to consult on return-to-work options. When employees are informed about the nature of their complaint and anticipated recovery path, they are empowered to make sound decisions about their own care. In turn, supervisors who may lack medical expertise can make better-informed job accommodation decisions. This approach reduces production disruptions and has a favorable effect on workforce morale. 

Finally, when an organization engages WorkCare as its occupational health partner, it supports safe and healthy workplaces and employee well-being. For example, a WorkCare provider who detects an underlying medical condition such as hypertension, diabetes, or sleep apnea when performing a work-related physical exam will refer a job applicant or an employee who may not otherwise have gotten an annual checkup to a personal physician. Even more noteworthy, the record shows that WorkCare on-site first responders have provided life-saving interventions in emergency situations – an incalculable value for all concerned. 

Contact us to learn more about WorkCare’s occupational health solutions and how they can make a measurable difference for your organization. 

References 

1. Occupational medicine in ancient Egypt; Medical Hypotheses, Vol. 69, Issue 4, 2007, pp. 942-945. 

1. Bernardino Ramazzini: The Father of Occupational Medicine; American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 91(90, 2001. 

1. A Short History of Occupational Safety and Health in the United States; American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 110(5), 2020.