[Occupational physician: doctor without care for patients?]

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Public health policy
• Healthcare integration

Context:

• Current Dutch legislation, over a century old, creates a divide between treating physicians and occupational physicians.
• This legislative framework prevents treating physicians from advising on work capacity and return-to-work, and occupational physicians from providing direct patient treatment.
• The Dutch Health Council has recently advocated for enhanced collaboration to improve patient health and work participation.

Purpose:

• To highlight the detrimental effects of fragmented care on patient health and work participation.
• To present an evidence-based model for integrated occupational and curative care.
• To advocate for policy changes that integrate occupational health care into mainstream healthcare.

Summary:

• A multidisciplinary care model integrating occupational and curative services, including occupational physicians, facilitated earlier and sustainable return to work for patients with chronic back pain.
• Patients in the integrated care group returned to work an average of 4 months earlier and experienced improved functioning in their private lives.
• This integrated approach demonstrated a substantial societal return on investment, with €26 gained for every €1 spent.

Impact:

• Improved health outcomes and sustained work participation for individuals with work disability.
• Enhanced societal economic benefits through increased return on investment in healthcare.
• Policy recommendations for the integration of occupational health services into mainstream healthcare systems to foster shared treatment goals.