The Migration Strategy: Building a Benchmark Medical Presence at the Workplace
Published: Health & Productivity Management 2007; 6(1):4-7
Authors: Raymond Fabius, MD, CPE, FACPE
Objective:
Workplace health services offer an employer with large facilities a unique opportunity to broaden the employee benefit package and contribute positively to the bottom line. Creating on-site health centers can improve the health of the workforce and their productivity. Leveraging the trusted clinician at the workplace™ can enhance any and all efforts to reduce health risks and promote wellness.
Commentary:
The presence of occupational health centers at the workplace has a long history. Originally established to treat industrial illness and injury these centers have worked hard to reduce their demand. By studying trends they have developed methods to prevent the re-occurrence of workplace injuries and illnesses. This has been accomplished through the science of ergonomics and the regulatory requirements of medical surveillance. As a consequence these clinicians have gained capacity or in some cases have moved from full time to part time roles. However, those employers who have leveraged these trusted clinicians at the workplace have received a significant return for this investment. Allowing these and other differently trained clinicians to assist with health care beyond risk management has led to improvements in disability and worker’s compensation management, absenteeism, presenteeism, and population health status.