[Analysis of tasks of occupational health services accomplished in Poland, 1997-2014. Do we exploit the full potential of prophylactic examinations of workers?] / Analiza zadan sluzby medycyny pracy realizowanych w Polsce w latach 1997­2014. Czy w pelni wykorzystujemy potencjal badan profilaktycznych?

BACKGROUND: Mandatory medical reports can be used to evaluate the scope of activity of occupational health services (OHS), including the number and kind of services. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis comprised data for the period 1997-2014, derived from mandatory reports MZ-35A submitted by OHS units. RESULTS: During the analyzed period the number of occupational medicine physicians decreased from 8507 to 6741, while the number of OHS units - responsible for prophylactic care - increased from 4967 to 6261. In the years under report 3,961 million mandatory health check-ups were performed, of which 99.3% resulted in issuing fitness for work certificates. Pre-employment examinations made 38.8%, while periodical ones - 52.8% and control ones - 6.7% of all check-ups. Moreover, 336 700 examinations of apprentices, students, vocational courses attendants and Ph.D. students were performed to evaluate any contradictions for vocational training. In 2014, there were 1871 workers provided with preventive care per 1 occupational physician. It was estimated that despite legal obligation, only 22.2% of employers had signed agreements with OHS units. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the number and kind of services provided by OHS units revealed high but not fully exploited potential for efficient prophylaxis of both directly occupational work-related and indirectly work-exacerbated diseases. Med Pr 2017;68(1):105-119.

[Structure of human resources and activities of occupational medicine service in Poland in 2009 and dynamics and trends in recent years]. / Struktura kadr i dzialalnosc sluzby medycyny pracy w Polsce w 2009 r. oraz dynamika i kierunki zmian w ostatnich latach.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of the study was to provide the most important results concerning the state of human resources and activities of occupational medicine services in Poland in 2009 and their dynamics and trends in the recent years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information about the state of human resources and activities of occupational medicine services has been obtained from statistical forms (more than 10,000) filled by occupational physicians carrying out the preventive g care of workers, and health care centers (or their separate parts), which are the primary occupational medicine units and regional occupational medicine centers (forms: MZ-35A, MZ-35B and MZ-35). RESULTS: In 2009, essential changes were noted in the structure of the primary occupational medicine units. 'Ihere was a significant decrease in the number of public health care centers. This phenomenon has resulted from the transformation of public health care centers into non-public structures. CONCLUSIONS: The range of occupational medicine services has reached the level sufficient enough to achieve the objectives of the occupational health care mandatory assignment. However, the structure of the tasks actually performed by regional occupational medicine centers greatly varies, from focusing on the statutory tasks to their marginalization.

[Human resources and activities in the occupational medicine service of Poland in 2003]. / Kadry i dzialalnosc sluzby medycyny pracy w Polsce w 2003 r.

BACKGROUND: The presented paper shows the most essential data concerning the state of human resources and activities of occupational medicine services in Poland in 2003. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The reports (around 10 000) obtained from primary occupational medicine service units and regional occupational medicine centers (forms: MZ-35A and MZ-35) are the source of information about human resources and occupational medicine services activities. RESULTS: A majority of regional centers, due to their restructuring, have approached the legal and organizational model described in the Occupational Medicine Service Act. The assessment of activities of primary occupational medicine centres units, performed by regional occupational medicine centers, indicates the need for constant training of physicians authorized to perform prophylactic examinations of employees. CONCLUSIONS: The year 2003 did not witness any new significant changes in the structure of occupational medicine service. One can speak rather about the continuation of trends observed in previous years.