Guidelines to Manage Work-Related Health Problems

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Kay Coyne
847-228-6850, X152

Physicians introduce practice guidelines to manage work-related health problems

Chicago, Ill--Practice guidelines to help physicians and health professionals manage work-related health problems of patients were published in April by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

"Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines: Evaluation and Management of Common Health Problems and Functional Recovery in Workers is a milestone contribution to healthcare," said Dr. Kent W. Peterson, ACOEM president. "This book is a vital resource for injured workers, caregivers, employers and insurers of medical care."

Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines addresses management of seven musculoskeletal areas--neck and upper back; shoulder; elbow; forearm, wrist and hand; low back; knee; ankle and foot--and acute eye complaints.

The 368-page book encompasses more than 95 percent of all work-related health concerns, according to its editor, Dr. Jeffrey S. Harris, associate clinical professor, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Calif. The book was developed by Dr. Harris and five physician contributing editors.

"Workers' compensation and disability costs are out of control," said Dr. Harris. "These comprehensive guidelines will help physicians provide better care for patients, use resources more efficiently, help workers return to work sooner, and manage spiraling costs of workers' compensation," he continued.

"Clinics that follow these guidelines will be at the forefront of quality management and well managed care," Dr. Harris explained.

Using an initial $121,500 planning grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, ACOEM will research the "usability" of the new practice guidelines for the next year. During the next three months, approximately 70 physicians and 75 nurse case managers in 37 clinical practices throughout the United States will complete a formal training program in how to use the practice guidelines. They will treat up to 65,000 patients following these guidelines during the next 12 months.

A three-year ACOEM research program starts in the first year by training health professionals, evaluating their reaction to the guidelines, and improving the guidelines to be "user friendly," according to Dr. Peter N. Low, of the Greaney Medical Group, Anaheim, Calif., and the University of California, who serves as project manager.

In the second year, ACOEM will collect data on practice patterns and patient health and function outcomes. In the third year, an independent research group will evaluate data to correlate medical care and disability management with patient recovery of health and function.

Clinics interested in applying for participation in the study should contact Dr. Low, 714-978-7488.

The first nine chapters of Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines discuss preventive strategies and tactics, initial assessment of symptoms including medical and work histories, and initial approaches to treatment.

The book also addresses health problems related to work, disability management, case management, pain management, consultations and independent medical examinations, and patient integration into the workforce after testing or surgery.

The remaining eight chapters are devoted to treatment of specific medical complaints. The book includes 57 tables and 40 algorithms with step-by-step problem solving procedures.

The Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines, a three-year project, was peer reviewed by 120 physicians and health professionals from 13 medically related societies. Besides ACOEM, reviewers were members or representatives from the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Neurological Surgery, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Occupational Psychiatry, American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American College of Radiology, American College of Rheumatology, American Physical Therapy Association, American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association.

Contributing editors are Dr. Bernard R. Blais, Blais Consulting, Clifton Park, N.Y.; Dr. Christopher R. Brigham, vice president, SEAK, Inc., Portland, Maine; Dr. Philip I. Harber, director of occupational and environmental medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Calif.; Dr. Ann E. Kuhnen, assistant medical director, SmithKline Beecham, Philadelphia, Pa.; and Dr. Daniel Wolens, medical director, Occupational Health Services, Alliant Health Systems, Louisville, Ky.

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, an international medical society of 7,000 occupational medicine physicians, promotes worker and environmental health through preventive medicine, clinical practice, research and education.

The Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines is available, with a 30-day risk-free trial, from OEM Press, telephone: 800-533-8046; or website, http://www.oempress.com.