00699 - Occupational Medicine

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student has knowledge, as far as his competence is concerned, in the field of occupational medicine and preventive medicine in the workplace and expertise on hygiene, epidemiology and toxicology.

Course contents

I. General Part

Historical Evolution of Occupational Medicine

Technological changes, working conditions and protections, and workforce composition.

The relationship between work and health, occupational injuries, and diseases. Global burden of disease.

New forms of employment: contractual relationships, work times and locations, and the use of new technologies.

Work and gender issues.

Health protection in the workplace: regulatory aspects, corporate roles (occupational physician, prevention and protection service, worker safety representatives), and supervisory bodies.

Risk assessment and exposure limits.

Concept of work ability. Factors influencing the relationship between job demands and worker capabilities. Interventions to facilitate return to work and promote health in the workplace.

Sustaining employment for individuals with disabilities.

II. Protection of Workers' Health, with Particular Attention to Activities in Health and Social Care Settings:

Clinical and preventive aspects of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Biomechanical risks in healthcare settings and patient care.

Clinical and preventive aspects of diseases caused by biological agents. Prevention and surveillance of airborne diseases (tuberculosis), percutaneous transmission, and contact-related diseases.

Clinical and preventive aspects of diseases caused by chemical and carcinogenic agents (activities involving exposure to anesthetics, antineoplastic chemotherapeutics, aldehydes).

Clinical and preventive aspects of occupational dermatoses.

III. Occupational Risks for Reproductive Health.

Scientific evidence and relevant regulatory framework.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching Materials Provided or Suggested by the professor (Available from Sector Databases or Government Websites):

• Scientific articles
• Guidelines
• Best practices

Teaching methods

Theoretical lessons/lectures

Assessment methods

the exams consists of a writtentest in form of multiple choice test. The test has a duration of 40minutes (30 questions). It is designed to evaluate the ability to correctly apply the theoretical knoledge and the understanding of the issues proposed.

Teaching tools

To support the lectures, the professor will prepare slides and may present videos and images related to work activities.

Office hours

See the website of Angela Gambelunghe