P1
OCCUPATIONAL PHYSICIAN ASSESSMENTS OF MEDICAL STUDENTS – AN EVOLVING SERVICE?
A.M. de Bono, H. Kaul, K. Gokhale
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, UK
Background
OH provision to UK medical schools is variable [1]. Since 2005 UHL has delivered OH services to Leicester University Medical School (LUMS), including referral for specialist assessments by Occupational Health Physicians (OHP). The changing employment and educational landscape, plus GMC guidance, may have influenced referrals [ref 2, 3 and 4].
Aims
To investigate any:
- change in numbers and patterns of medical student OHP referrals over 14 years,
- demographic differences between those referred and their peers.
Methods
Mixed methods study evaluated quantitative and qualitative data relating to LUMS medical students referred for assessment by OHPs between 2005 and 2019 using 3 interlinked workstreams:
- retrospective review of referrals,
- semi-structured interviews with 9 key individuals from OHS and LUMS,
- comparison of demographic characteristics between those referred and the medical student population in 2018-2019.
Results
2005 – 2019
- Referrals increased 3% of student population (40) – 7% (85) p.a.
- OHP appointments increased 45 – 186 p.a.
- Percentage of OHP referrals initiated by LUMS increased 3% – 69%
2005 vs 2018
- Mental health diagnoses more likely 20% vs 64% (p < 0.001)
- More assessments required > 1 OHP appointment 10% vs 32% (p = 0.009)
2018 – 2019
No disparity in gender or domicile between those referred or not referred to OHP.
These results reflected the consensus view of interview participants.
Conclusions
Increasing demand from Medical School for OHP assessment of their students.
Mental health diagnoses have increased significantly, also the number of appointments required to complete OHP assessments of medical students.
References:
- Occupational health provision in UK universities
Venables K, and Allender S. Occup Med 2007;57:162-168
- GMC 2016 Professional behaviour and fitness to practise
https://www.gmc-uk.org/education/standards-guidance-and-curricula/guidance/student-professionalism-and-ftp/professional-behaviour-and-fitness-to-practise
- GMC 2019 Welcomed and Valued: supporting disabled learners in medical education and training
https://www.gmc-uk.org/education/standards-guidance-and-curricula/guidance/welcomed-and-valued
- HEE 2019 NHS Staff and Learners Mental Wellbeing Report
https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/mental-wellbeing-report
