Occupational health nurses practices in providing occupational health services for health workers

Abstract

© JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND| 2019. Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the occupational health nurse practices in providing occupational health services for health workers and its related factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 320 occupational health nurses working in tertiary care hospitals with occupational medicine departments located in all regions of Thailand. Data were collected using the mailed questionnaires with a response rate of 65.9%. A total of 211 samples were analyzed. Results: Findings indicated that occupational health nurse practice in providing services for health workers was mostly at a high level of performance (62.6%). Knowledge and skills in occupational health, number of nurses in the occupational medicine department, occupational health information management, and job responsibility were significantly associated with high performing practice related to occupational health services for health workers and these factors altogether could predict 28.6% of the variance in occupational health nurses practices in providing occupational health services for health workers (p<0.05). Conclusion: Findings suggest that knowledge and skills related to occupational health nursing should be developed through various means of continuing education. To enhance the practices in providing occupational health services for health workers, occupational health information management and job description should be developed. Staffing issues should also be addressed by the hospital administrators.