Figure 4 . Industry standards . |
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A . Assessing fitness to drive for commercial and private vehicle drivers . |
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B . National Standard for Health
Assessment of Rail Safety
Workers .
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the specific physical and psycho- |
defensible opinion cannot be pro- |
clinical judgement to translate the |
leads to better health outcomes and |
example , in the Assessing Fitness to |
logical requirements of the role . |
vided without this information . |
medical or clinical findings into the |
reduces social exclusion . 13 |
Drive standards , information from an |
These may include descriptions of the magnitudes , frequencies , durations and positions of manual han- |
THE ASSESSMENT
A work fitness assessment , like any
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ability or inability to perform the different tasks required in the role . This may become more complicated or |
That said , it is important to ensure that the patient is able to sustainably perform the work , without risk to |
endocrinologist or consultant physician specialising in diabetes is required for initial advice about conditional |
dling tasks , the need to perform |
other medical consultation , requires |
nuanced when the GP is also being |
themselves ( including of worsening |
licensing in commercial drivers with |
tasks such as crouching , climbing |
a detailed medical history and phys- |
asked to comment on risk . |
the existing condition ), or others . This |
diabetes where any form of medication |
steps or ladders , and attempts to |
ical examination to characterise any |
In situations where the assess- |
may require accommodation within |
is being used . 9 |
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comment on the psychological or cognitive demands of the roles .
This leads to one of the most
|
medical pathology . The components will vary depending on any legislated or company-requested requirements , |
ing doctor is uncomfortable , unsure or has concerns that providing the information may adversely impact |
the workplace or , in some cases , a change in role . It is common for GPs to be asked about work capacity in the |
In the absence of specific standards , consider any specific physical limitations , relevant symptoms , the potential |
important points in assessing any |
the job tasks and the relevant medi- |
their therapeutic relationship , refer- |
context of chronic disease ; consider the |
side effects of treatment and the expec- |
individual ’ s fitness for work . It is |
cal conditions of the worker . In some |
ral to or involvement of a specialist |
impact on work at the time of diagno- |
tation of recovery or deterioration . In |
vital that the assessing GP under- |
cases , a simple questionnaire provides |
occupational medicine physician is |
sis to ensure that preventive measures |
addition , provide the employer with |
stands the requirements of the |
adequate information , and in others , |
recommended . |
to reduce work disability can be imple- |
advice about keeping the worker safe at |
role for which the person is being assessed . It is not possible to perform a fitness for work assessment without knowing these details . Engaging with an employer or |
such as Antarctic expedition work ( see figure 5 ), very complex and detailed medical testing may be required . It is common to include hearing and respiratory testing or a functional capac- |
CHRONIC AND PROGRESSIVE DISEASE
CHRONIC disease is common in Aus-
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mented where appropriate . 14 If the work involves legislated standards , then consider if the specific disease is relevant to these standards , and initiate appropriate assessments |
work . This may include advice regarding breaks or access to medication / testing during the workday . Also consider the impact on a day-to-day basis , as well as the likelihood of sudden esca- |
insurer ( with the patient ’ s consent as set out above ) to clarify the specific |
ity evaluation . Practices should only offer these if they have appropriate |
tralia . 12 Many of these conditions affect adults of working age , but they rarely |
and certification as required as early as possible in the diagnosis . This may |
lations in symptomatology or progression over time . |
job demands and the availability of alternative duties is an essential part of the assessment . An informed and |
equipment and trained staff to perform and interpret the results .
It then becomes a matter of
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preclude an individual from all work ( see figure 6 ). The evidence shows that work for people with chronic illness |
require specialist input , even if this would not otherwise be needed for the clinical management of the patient . For |
AGEING
PEOPLE are remaining in the
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