Case studies in occupational medicine for medical undergraduate training

Medical undergraduate tutorials in occupational medicine were introduced in 1993 in Singapore. The tutorials discuss three case studies of patients likely to be encountered in primary health care practice--occupational dermatitis, tinnitus in a noise-exposed worker, and the finding of anaemia in a pre-employment examination. The cases are used to illustrate the importance of identification of occupational factors in the causation of disease; consideration of occupational factors in the management of disease; and measures for prevention of occupational and work-related diseases and promotion of health at work. Staff and student responses to the case studies have been positive. All five staff members involved in the teaching enjoyed the experience, and over 90% of the 105 students who participated in the tutorial felt that the material was well prepared, the time was well spent, and that the tutorials had thrown new light on and overcome difficulties encountered during the course.