Views of primary healthcare physicians on occupational health

The incorporation of occupational health action in healthcare units is a major public health challenge.

This study aims to the perceptions of primary health care (PHC) physicians about occupational health.

This is a qualitative exploratory-descriptive study was conducted in a municipality located in the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected through individual interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire, whose first part focused on participants' sociodemographic profile and to professional training, and the second one was specific about the researched theme. Research participants were physicians working in PHC. Professionals with an experience of less than 6 months and those absent during the data collection period due to vacation or sickness were excluded.

Ten physicians met inclusion and were therefore interviewed. The main results indicated that the interviewed participants agree that work is an important health condition. They also reported difficulties in taking measures to prevent and promote occupational health and lack of training on the theme.

In general, physicians' perception about the theme is based on the implementation of measures mostly targeted at treating users' symptoms, rarely addressing aspects related to prevention or rehabilitation in daily practices. Training about occupational health is insufficient.