Occupational Physician: Why Is He A Valuable Ally?

If you have a phobia of white coats, perhaps you go to the occupational health check-up with a certain amount of trepidation. Or perhaps you consider it a chore and drag your feet... And yet, the occupational physician is a precious ally for employees. We explain why in 5 points.

1- It is specialized in prevention

Unlike your general practitioner, for example, the occupational health physician does not provide care and does not issue prescriptions or sick days.

He or she is not there to prescribe treatment, but to help you take care of your health in the context of your work, as he or she is first and foremost a specialist in the prevention of occupational risks.

During the hiring visit, for example, he will inform you about the possible risks related to your job and make you aware of the means of prevention.

You can discuss with him all issues relating to the arduousness of your workstation, harassment as well as the health risks of your job.

2- It monitors your health throughout your career

It is no coincidence that you must regularly go to the occupational medicine department for a medical check-up.

The frequency of these visits varies according to the age, the occupational risks and the state of health of the worker.

But all companies are obliged to join an occupational health service and schedule medical visits, including a visit upon hiring and then follow-up visits every 5 years maximum.

For certain employees such as night workers, disabled workers and disability pensioners, a medical check-up must be organized every 3 years.

3- He can also help you at any time

In addition to regularly scheduled medical visits, the occupational physician can help you whenever you feel the need, with health issues that make it difficult to practice your profession.

Be aware that an employee has the right to refer to this doctor at any time, particularly after an illness or accident, if he or she no longer feels able to perform his or her job.

The doctor will then evaluate the employee's health condition and propose specific accommodations to the employer in order to adapt the position to the person's health.

4- It acts as an interface between employees and employers

If you have a health problem at work and you are unable to discuss it directly with your employer, contact the occupational physician.

He or she is your go-to person for all health, Hygiene and safety issues in your workplace.

One of his functions is to serve as intermediary between you and your employer, always in strict compliance with medical confidentiality.

Note, moreover, that the employer may also refer to the occupational health service at any time to assess an employee's ability to hold his or her position without risk to health.

But, contrary to what employees sometimes imagine, this doctor is not 'on the boss's side': like any other doctor, he is independent in his decisions.

5- It takes care of your physical and psychological health

As you will have understood, the main mission of the occupational physician is to preserve your health throughout your career. His role concerns the physical but also psychological well-being of employees.

For several years now, and even more so with the health crisis, these doctors have been very attentive to psychosocial risks in the workplace.

Their mission is, for example, to prevent isolation and depression in Telecommuting or addictive behaviors.

For all the reasons stated above, the occupational physician is an ally that you should not hesitate to consult as soon as there is suffering at work.

A law aimed at reinforcing occupational health prevention came into effect on March 31, 2022, and we can only be pleased about it. It should indeed contribute to improving the quality of life and working conditions of all employees.