Fenner, Peter (2011) The pre-employment medical: nuisance or great opportunity? Australian Family Physician, 40 (7). pp. 541-544.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND Requests for general practitioners to conduct pre-employment medicals are increasing, encouraged by the increasing costs of workplace injuries, insurance claims, premiums and common law claims. In many industries, especially mining and natural gas, legislation demands that a medical be undertaken before the employee is allowed onsite.

OBJECTIVE This article describes the nature of a pre-employment medical and the role of the GP in providing a medical. It also provides tips on how to make the medical part of a preventive health assessment.

DISCUSSION Pre-employment medicals are often unpopular as practices struggle to cope with excessive workloads. However, with good time management, prior assessment of the supplied paperwork and the addition of some further questions on health and lifestyle, medicals can provide a good assessment of a patient and assist in the prevention or management of potential or chronic health problems.

The medical also provides an excellent opportunity to promote health and to assist in disease and injury prevention by providing feedback for a healthier lifestyle and injury prevention. This is an especially great opportunity for male patients, who rarely visit their GP for routine health checks.

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