Frequent short sickness absence, occupational health service utilisation and long-term sickness absence due to mental disorders among young employees

Objectives We examined whether frequent short-term sickness absence (FSTSA) and primary care use in occupational health service (OHS) were associated with medically-certified long-term sickness absence (LTSA) due to mental disorders among young employees. Methods We used record-linkage data covering the young employees (< 35 years) of the City of Helsinki, Finland (n = 8,282) from 2010 to 2014. The outcome was LTSA due to mental disorders. Cox regression models were fitted. Results FSTSAs were associated with subsequent LTSA. Also OHS use predicted LTSA due to mental disorders; however, this association was not found for those with prior FSTSA. Conclusions Both FSTSA and primary care use indicate subsequent LTSA independently, and together these indicators identify a larger proportion of individuals at risk of LTSA due to mental disorders.

Professional aspects of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19)

The article presents an analysis of modern foreign and domestic literature, regulatory legal acts that reflect the professional aspects of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19. The risks of COVID-19 infection of medical and non-medical workers are considered. The current understanding of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 as an occupational disease is shown. The features of the work of the health care system and the occupational health service during the COVID-19 pandemic are presented.

Fifty years ago: ‘The medical officer of health and the small workplace’

This series provides a selection of articles from the past. In Fifty years ago: ‘The medical officer of health and the small workplace’ A. W. W. Robinson briefly explores Britain’s lack of occupational health coverage compared to the rest of Europe and discusses the merits of a National Occupational Health Service.

Fifty years ago: ‘The appointed factory doctor’

This series provides a selection of articles from the past. In Fifty years ago: ‘The appointed factory doctor’ the author briefly explores the appointed factory doctor system, or AFDs, and how this could be utilized to help create a nation-wide occupational health service, without using up existing medical personnel.

Fifty years ago: ‘The first group occupational health service in Scotland’

This series provides a selection of articles from the past. In Fifty years ago: ‘The first group occupational health service in Scotland’ W. M. Dixon briefly explores the development of occupational/industrial health services in Scotland, in 1960s Dundee.

The Hawthorne effect

Why I became an occupational physician … briefly explores the reasons and influences behind John Sorrell’s decision to pursue a career in occupational medicine. It takes us from his move from rural general practice to the Civil Service Occupational Health Service, through to setting up as an independent occupational physician.

Fifty years ago: ‘Problems of a group occupational health service in Lancashire’

This series provides a selection of articles from the past. In Fifty years ago: ‘Problems of a group occupational health service in Lancashire’ F.H. Tyrer briefly explores the cotton spinning industry from his time as Medical Director at Rochdale Industrial Health Service.

Why I became an occupational physician …

Why I became an occupational physician … briefly explores the reasons and influences behind John Sorrell’s decision to pursue a career in occupational medicine. It takes us from his move from rural general practice to the Civil Service Occupational Health Service, through to setting up as an independent occupational physician.