[Illness related to occupational factors encountered in a general practice setting]

This study examines the extent of illnesses encountered in a general practice setting that are related to occupational factors and their distribution in relation to specific occupations and diagnostic groups.

From December 2000 until May 2001, all patients between 20 and 67 years of age who came in to our rural community medical centre on the coast of central Norway, were asked to fill in a questionnaire about their reason for seeing a doctor, their occupational status, and whether they saw their current illness as related to occupational factors. If they did, they were also asked about what factors they deemed the most important.

Among the 412 occupationally active respondents, 40% of women and 54% of men saw a possible or definite relationship between occupational factors and their current illness. Repetitive work and physically hard work were the two factors most frequently mentioned.

Occupational factors as causes of or influencing factors for illness in general practice seem to be more frequent than anticipated. There also seems to be a potential for prevention of illness and disability through better collaboration between general practitioners, occupational health services hospital based departments of occupational medicine.