Patient and physician perspectives of work-related illness in family practice

A questionnaire survey was administered to 362 patients at a family medicine center to define the occupational characteristics of the patient population. Thirty-eight percent of patients reported current health problems related to their work. A chart review of a random sample of 100 of these patients revealed no documented differences between those who reported and those who did not report work-related health problems. Forty-one charts had no occupational data recorded. Only five charts had any record of hazardous exposures, whereas 60 of these patients had reported hazardous exposures. It is concluded that work is commonly perceived as an important determinant of health status and that family physicians currently tend to overlook this fact. The introduction of some formal occupational health teaching in family medicine residencies is needed, with particular emphasis on preventive aspects.