CloseIT can be an important tool for your own personal development, research or developing your business. This workshop will show some of the programs, tools and websites that can be used for teaching, reflective practice/appraisal, and research. In addition, the workshop will illustrate best practice in website design for promoting occupational health business. there will be an opportunity throughout the conference to explore some of these tools along with interactive guides in the computer suite.

CloseThis 90 minute workshop will be facilitated by three specialists in occupational health (OH) practising respectively as an experienced provider of OH services in the independent sector, in a regulatory role in the public sector, and in a health advisory and managerial role in the military. Dr Alasdair Emslie MRCGP FFOM CMIOSH is Chief Medical Officer of Health Management Ltd. Dr Eva d'Souza MFOM is HM Medical Inspector of Health and Safety at the Health and Safety Executive, Basingstoke. Dr Robin Cordell MRCGP MFOM is the Medical Advisor for current and contingent military operations undertaken by NATO.

The aim of this workshop is for those attending to reflect on how OH services might best be delivered, taking into account both the requirements for business efficiency, and for professional effectiveness and standards of OH practice.

The vehicle to be used is a fictionalised case that Dr Emslie will introduce, background information for which will be available on the SOM ASM website for pre-reading (reading which is of course highly desirable, but not essential to gaining benefit from the workshop). After a brief introduction and this presentation, which will take no more than 20 minutes, those attending will then divide into three for group discussions over the next 40 minutes.

One group will discuss marketing the service and the "nuts and bolts" of contract negotiation; the focus will be on effective and efficient business practice, applicable to both the independent and public sector. Central to effective delivery is analysis of the health needs of the client and their employees; the second group will examine these needs in the light of responsibilities placed on employers on the identification and effective management of risks to the Health and Safety of their employees at work. The focus for this group will be on "doing the right thing" for the client. The third group will examine professional standards in OH services delivery, particularly recruitment, training and retention of the appropriate personnel to meet clients' (employers) and patients' (employees) needs, and the Clinical Governance process; "doing things right".

The three groups will then come together for a 20 minute plenary session and reflection on that which has been learned. The outcome of the workshop should be enhancement to the delivery of OH services by attendees in either the public or private sector; refining practice by means of sharing best practice.

CloseMany Occupational Physicians have a healthy fear of being called to give evidence at Employment Tribunals. Although the actual numbers are low, advice to managers about fitness to work and the DDA are commonly couched in terms of how the report may sound if read out at an ET. Diana Kloss, barrister and Tribunal Chairman, will give an update on ETs, and then chair a mock ET. Time will allow for the OHP to give his evidence, followed by cross-examination by a barrister. There will be time for questions and comments from the floor at the end of the mock ET.

CloseThe aim of this lecture is to try to answer the question of why the taking of risks in the workplace is framed in such a one-sided negative manner. The lecture examines prevailing cultural norms that amplify the dangers and devalue the opportunities of taking risks at work. In particular it explores the growing tendency to medicalise the experience of work. It suggests that the phenomenon of ‘diseasing the workplace’ may inadvertently contribute to the growth of occupational health problems.

CloseNew research is continuously being published, which may affect the practice of Occupational Medicine. However, for Occupational Physicians with limited academic experience, weighing the quality of the research, and working out how to apply it to one's own field, can be a daunting prospect.

We have a new theme to the Academic Session for ASM 09. Rather than having many papers presented without formal comment, we shall restrict the numbers of papers presented. After each presentation, an experienced academic will provide a critique of the paper, and thereafter there will be an opportunity for general discussion.

This forum will be invaluable not only to those who want to learn about new advances and research in the occupational health field but also for those who wish to undertake research either as part of their post-graduate training requirements or to investigate areas which may have an impact on their daily medical practice.

CloseAs industries grapple with the developing energy crisis and the requirement to reduce their carbon footprint, the way they do business and the impact on their employees is likely to change. This will potentially impact on health effects and therefore health provision in the workplace. We therefore feel that it is important that occupational medicine practitioners understand the concepts and the likely effect that this may have on industries. It is also vital that we understand the debate correctly. We have already committed to have a 'green' theme underpinning the organisation of the conference. In addition, we would like to dedicate the eponymous lecture to this subject.

But is there really a consensus on the facts of global warming? We are providing a platform for a presentation of the arguments that are less well heard on this debate.

Professor Philip Stott is Emeritus Professor of Biogeography at SOAS. He writes for the press, especially the Times. He appeared in Channel 4's "The Great Global Warming Swindle." His most fundamental question is:'Can humans manipulate climate predictably?' Or, more scientifically: 'Will cutting carbon dioxide emissions at the margin produce a linear, predictable change in climate?'

CloseThe Individual Support Programme (ISP) is based at the Centre for Psychosocial and Disability Research at Cardiff University and provides needs assessment and remediation for doctors who are struggling with non-clinical aspects of their performance. Providing remediation and support for behavioural problems is complex as health, social, environmental and personality issues may all contribute to the performance issues. Whilst some more serious health issues need to be managed prior to providing behavioural remediation, others such as some common mental health disorders, learning difficulties and minor cognitive impairments can be managed alongside behavioural support.

This workshop will look at some of the recent research in the area of doctors and their health and behaviours and consider how training and support for supervisors and individual doctors can support them in the workplace and provide effective rehabilitation

The Call for Abstracts has now closed for this year's Conference. Results will be issued later than anticipated - around 23rd April. Please contact the Conference Secretariat if you have not received your result by Monday 27th April 2009