Workplace injury data reported by occupational physicians and general practitioners.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health Surveillance

Background:

• Accurate workplace injury data is crucial for prioritizing prevention strategies.
• The Health and Occupation Research (THOR) network in the UK collects workplace ill-health data from physicians.
• Physician reporting includes valuable injury case reports.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare workplace injury data reported by occupational physicians (OPs) and general practitioners (GPs) to the THOR network.
• To analyze demographic, industrial, and injury characteristics reported by OPs and GPs.
• To investigate sickness absence data for workplace injuries reported by GPs.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 2017 workplace injury cases reported to THOR between 2006 and 2012 by OPs and GPs.
• Comparison of demographics, industrial groups, nature of injury, accident type, and injury site.
• Examination of sickness absence data linked to workplace injuries reported by GPs.

Main Results:

• Males were more prone to workplace accidents than females.
• Sprains and strains affecting the upper limbs were the most frequent injuries.
• Slips, trips, and falls were common causes identified by both physician groups.
• Occupational physicians reported a higher proportion of psychological injuries (21%) compared to general practitioners (3%).

Conclusions:

• THOR reports from OPs and GPs are a valuable resource for workplace injury data.
• Physician-reported data complements other data sources like RIDDOR and the Labour Force Survey.
• Understanding physician reporting patterns enhances the utility of surveillance data for occupational health interventions.