• H F van der Molen, L Omvlee, T Brand, and Frings-DresenM H WMHWAmsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands..
• Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
• Occup Med (Lond). 2018 Nov 16; 68 (8): 555-558.

BackgroundInformation is collected worldwide on the diagnosis and assessment of occupational diseases (ODs) by occupational physicians (OPs). However, information on perceived facilitators and barriers to assessment is scarce.AimsTo evaluate the perceived barriers and facilitators in the assessment of ODs by OPs.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study, using interviews and focus groups. We held 12 interviews and two focus groups with Dutch OPs, to identify barriers and facilitators in the assessment of ODs.ResultsCase definition, exposure assessment, attribution to work, guidelines and decision tools, external expertise, individual motivation and consequences were identified as themes. Barriers and facilitators were mainly reported regarding assessing work attribution, e.g. how to assess multifactorial causes or the need for training, and individual motivation such as the perceived lack of usefulness or the need for monitoring suspected OD cases. Within the theme of consequences, only barriers to the assessment of ODs were reported, including the liability of employers.ConclusionsPerceived facilitators in the assessment of ODs were practical assessment tools, multifaceted education, ability to assess work exposures and professional independence. Perceived barriers were lack of usefulness, lack of urgency, complexity of assessment and concerns about liability issues.

12 keywords...

hide…