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Competency 4

Competency 4 – Maintaining relationship with patients: maintaining trust; professional behaviour
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Objective – to ensure the appreciation of the professional position of the OH advisor, employer and employees

Key Message: Occupational health physicians provide independent advice aimed at supporting people a work

Area of competence Knowledge Skills Attitudes

Doctor-patient relationship [2]

Understand the relationship between the occupational health doctor and the patient [3]

Maintain an independent position [4]

Be wary of judgemental and discriminatory behaviour
Be aware of personal preferences or prejudices
[4]

Wider relationships in health and employment [5] Understand the different roles, of relevant parties and interaction between oh advisers, treating doctors, patients and their employers [6]

Deal with employers in an appropriate way [7] (see also communications, competency 3)

Be aware of potential difficulties in the relationship [8]
Interaction with other health professionals

Understand the role of health professionals in relation to the employee/patient and employer
Know when and how to involve other professionals
[9]

 

Communicate effectively and appropriately [10]
(see also communications, competency 3)
Develop and maintain respect for the roles of other professionals [11]
Personal health and safety [12] Understand the risk associated with medical practice, how to minimise risk and the need for early treatment when incidents occur [13] Recognise situations where personal health and safety is at risk or may endanger the health and safety of others such as colleagues or patients [14] Comply with health and safety legislation, undergo health surveillance when required to and notify relevant health conditions to employer/occupational health advisor [15]
Resources
Powerpoint presentations:
The Effects of (Ill) Health on Work [16]
Is your patient fit for work? Stakeholders and standards [17]
HSE, Health and Safety Law and Appointed/Approved Doctors [18]
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