Peer review audit in occupational medicine

There is an increasing awareness of the need for medical audit. A method for peer review medical audit that has been applied to two large industries is described. Occupational physicians act as auditors of randomly selected case notes from their colleagues' list of consultations using an agreed proforma as a guideline. Open discussion by the occupational physician of the auditor's comments identifies needs, such as for a change on policy or further education. Implementation of the agreed changes and subsequent review completes a cycle of audit.