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Lack of communication between occupational health practitioners and family doctors is well documented and is a barrier to effective rehabilitation of employees back to work. The aim of this study was to determine the circumstances, content and method of communication, family doctors would value from occupational physicians following an occupational health consultation with one of their patients.
Methods
A questionnaire was developed, piloted and sent by facsimile to 600 consecutive family doctors whose patients had been seen by an occupational physician at a large occupational health consultancy in London, UK. Non- responders were followed up by a single reminder telephone call. The questionnaire explained that the doctors’ patient had been seen by an occupational physician and enquired by quantative and qualitative means, the circumstances, method and content of communication the family doctors required from occupational physicians in order to optimise their patient’s retention in and rehabilitation back into work.
Results
364/ 600 (62%) family doctors responded to the questionnaire. 597(99•5%) of family doctors wanted information about their patients from occupational physicians; 588(98%) regarding timing of a return to work advised by the occupational physician; 558 (93%) regarding adjustments that the occupational physician had advised to the employer; 570 (95%) if the occupational physician had made a new or different diagnosis than the family doctor, and 486 (81%) following every consultation. Brief, relevant information on clinical and functional assessment was valued and seen as useful. Letter by post was perceived as the most practical and secure method of communication.
Discussion
Occupational physicians should send formal letters to family doctors following an assessment of one of their patients. This would optimise occupational health management of patients and would increase occupational health knowledge and awareness within family doctors.