Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117701

Kerry Souza, MPH and Elise Pechter, MPH, CIH. Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington St. 6th floor, Boston, MA MA, 02108, kerry.souza@state.ma.us

In February of 2004, the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH), in partnership with the Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility completed "Addressing Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses: a Guide for Primary Care Providers in Massachusetts." The creation of this guide began four years ago with focus groups of community-based primary care providers who expressed the need for resources for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, management and referral of occupational health problems among their patients. MassCOSH called upon its volunteer network of medical, legal and technical experts to draft and edit a manual targeted toward community-based primary care providers whose patients include low-wage and immigrant workers, and other workers whose needs may include advocacy, information about their legal rights, and other resources in the community.

This poster will present the community feedback that led to the creation of the guide, the organization and development of the document as informed by local health care providers, and any early lessons from use of the guide in community settings.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about the needs for occupational health resources for primary care providers that informed the creation of the guide.
• Learn about the collaborative process involving a volunteer network of medical, health and safety professionals in producing the guide.
• Learn about early feedback from community health centers regarding use of the new guide.

Keywords: Primary Care, Occupational Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.