[Perception of primary health care medical staff of their functions, and training and knowledge in occupational health].

Objectives: To evaluate the perception of primary health care medical staff (PHCMS) have on their functions in occupational risk prevention (ORP), as well as their knowledge and skills on the subject of occupational health (OH).

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Setting: Health Department 20 of Alicante province, Spain.

Participants: All PHCMS (N=104), with a participation of 80% (N=83).

Primary Measurements: The participants self-completed a questionnaire specifically developed for the study. Sixteen questions were established and covered functions in ORP and skills for developing them, as well as the amount and usefulness of training received on the subject of OH.

Results: The PHCMS did not perceive that they had functions as regards ORP (median [Me], 2; interquartile range [IR], 1-3). To a greater extent they considered themselves capable of identifying whether an illness seen in their clinic was of work origin or not (Me, 3; IR, 3-4). Training in OH as a medical student and in their medical internship (MIR) was identified as of minor importance (55.4% and 60%, respectively, of those surveyed scored a value of 1 in the questionnaire). The PHCMS obviously considered that better training in OH would help them in their daily professional activity. High scores were obtained for this (response options greater than or equal to 4) in more than 70% of the interviewees.

Conclusions: Training in OH must be encouraged so that PHCMS are seen to be health personnel with functions in ORP and are able to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in OH for their routine medical practice.