The general practitioner in industrial medicine

Most industrial injuries are treated by physicians who have a general practice in addition to their industrial work. Because of the increasing number and seriousness of industrial injuries, better preparation for treatment is required in the patient's interest and for reasonable economy. The trend toward centralization of industrial medical facilities, increasing before and during World War II, has been somewhat reversed; the general practitioner now has an opportunity to take a useful place in the care of injured employees.A physician dealing with industrial cases must be prepared to give immediate emergency treatment, to comply with the procedures of insurance carriers, and to refer cases which he is not skilled or equipped to handle. As a personal physician having the confidence of the patient he can secure greater cooperation from all parties concerned in industrial disability and can sometimes promote a more rapid recovery.