Institutional Medicine and Workplace Medicine: New Regulations and Practices
Public health institutions The functioning of the institution has undergone significant changes with the regulations made in recent years. These changes are the most important Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 This law includes doctors working in public institutions. occupational medicine makes it easier to do this and offers new opportunities in this field.
What is Occupational Medicine?
Workplace medicine, includes health services provided in workplaces to protect and improve the health of employees within the scope of occupational health and safety. Occupational physicians evaluate the health status of employees, determine health risks and take the necessary precautions. In this context, institution physicians may also be assigned to provide occupational physician services.
Duties and Responsibilities of Institutional Physicians
Physicians working in public institutions, Law No. 1219 Within the framework of the authority, in addition to his/her primary duties, he/she has the authority to act as a workplace physician. However, there are certain conditions for the use of this authority:
- Monthly 30 hour limitation: Institutional physicians may perform the duty of occupational physician outside of their own institution's working hours, not exceeding 30 hours per month.
- Condition of consent: In public institutions, consent must be obtained before physicians can be assigned as workplace physicians in another institution.
- Additional income opportunity: Physicians can earn additional income by working as workplace physicians. With this regulation, a new financial opportunity arises for physicians.
Legal Regulations and Physicians' Rights
Law No. 6331 Article 8/7 allows physicians working in public institutions to perform occupational physician duties in addition to their primary duties. According to this article, personnel who are occupational physicians or occupational safety specialists can be assigned to their own institutions or other public institutions if they have the necessary documents. In the event of assignment, physicians additional payment It has been stated that it will be done.
Hazard Classes and Workplace Medicine
The Workplace Hazard Classes Communiqué on Occupational Health and Safety determines the hazard classes of workplaces. This classification also affects the workload and working hours of workplace physicians. In particular, it is stated that at least five minutes per month should be allocated per employee in workplaces in the low-hazard class. This situation, workplace physicians is an important factor affecting their term of office.
Employment of Occupational Physicians and Obligations
In workplaces classified as low-risk, if there are 2.000 or more employees, it is mandatory to employ at least one occupational physician. This is of critical importance for occupational physicians to be able to fulfill their primary duties. In addition, if there is more than one occupational physician with a certificate in the same institution, the assignments must be made in accordance with equity.
Assignment and Additional Payments
During the execution of occupational medicine services, organized for public health institutions Compulsory Liability Insurance for Medical Malpractice This insurance covers the activities of physicians working in public health institutions in places where they are assigned within the framework of the relevant legislation, even if it is outside their own place of duty.
Physicians' Rights and Equality Principle
Ensuring equality in rights and responsibilities among physicians in assignments is extremely important for the public interest. With conscience and justice The responsibility to act requires that assignments be made fairly. In this context, the rights and benefits of all individuals must be observed.
As a result
The regulations increase the ability of physicians working in public hospitals to practice occupational medicine and provide new opportunities. However, evaluating these opportunities fairly and protecting the rights of physicians play a critical role in improving the quality of health services. Therefore, it is important for all stakeholders to increase sensitivity on this issue and act in cooperation.
