Without the White Coat
Call Centers… the need for an occupational health physician
I think you may have read it right, it is not just an "ordinary physician" that have to be employed by the HR (Human Resources) departments of Call Centers but those that are trained in "Industrial and Occupational Medicine" as set by the Department of Labor and Employment (Labor Code of the Philippines under Presidential Decree #442, article 160) with a basic course in "Occupational Safety and Health".
A lot of companies, especially the HR department, don't even know that this article existed in the labor code of the Philippines but "ignorance of the law excuses no one". They might as well correct themselves not just as compliance for the existing labor code of the Philippines but for the benefit and welfare of their employees which includes a mandatory annual physical examination on all their employees as well as "pre-employment" physical examinations.
The practice of "Industrial or Occupational Medicine" has never been a part of the residency training program of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine and Surgery which simply means that any graduate of these residency training programs doesn't have any "right" or any responsibility and obligation to sit down and occupy the role as a company physician. Conscience is the sole guide of these doctors and physicians, knowing personally that they have never encountered these during their years in residency training.
One of the culprits that should be blamed are the "HR" departments of "some" companies since they know that there is a requirement under the labor code of the Philippines with such provisions. It is not just the call center industry but also the establishments and companies that employ workers. Let's just put it this way, " all occupations" that will include from the lowly salaried government employees to the teachers and staff of public and private schools as well as all employees of all government agencies, bank employees or workers, hospital employees and staff and every able body that works in the area of manufacturing, agriculture, food processing, power generation or anything that simply involves workers are all covered in the practice of Occupational Medicine.
It is not just fair for practicing Occupational Health physicians who underwent a basic course and training in Occupational Safety and Health to see that a call center company hired a specialist in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology or Internal Medicine.
What do these specialties have to do with the practice of Industrial and Occupational Medicine? How about a manpower service company with employees doing janitorial and maintenance work on all establishments and companies? Are they also covered by the practice of Occupational Medicine?
The answer is yes, just remember the word "workers or employees". What is then the business of an internist doing its annual physical examinations of workers or giving assessment on an occupational disease or a work-related illness? ( I doubt if he/she has any idea what is an occupational disease or a work-related disease).
There are a lot of questions that has to be handled by the "legitimate" company physician of a call center such as the issues of working hours and health, on sleep and circadian rhythm, and extended working hours. There are more challenging issues like "Ergonomics".
Why it is so important to have an ergonomically correct call center? Does ergonomics have an impact on performance and productivity? What are the symptoms of poor ergonomics? Lastly, what is the role of management in ensuring their employees have an ergonomically healthy environment?
I am hoping that the HR department wants to be "world-class" in terms of competitiveness. If we want to increase the productivity of our employees, we should observe and comply with the rules and regulations of DOLE. We can all achieve this goal, just remember to get the right physician for the right job.
It may be true that there are also physicians that were trained in basic occupational safety and health but they are just sitting down on their "fat" butt doing nothing for their companies. This is a shame on the practice of Occupational Medicine. These are the same individuals that are complaining that they do not have any companies of their own, individuals that will never learn to present themselves to these companies. They have to put in their head that: It is not the company that will come to you and hire your services as an occupational health physician. You have to take the first step to make things happen. Stop complaining. If you want the best companies and industries, get out of your office and clinic and prepare programs for these companies. A sugar central needs one. By definition, an occupational health physician are tasked to do work environment monitoring, to diagnose work related diseases, and to asses hazards and risk in the work place. Just to name a few which are not covered in the residency training of Internal Medicine, OB-GYNE, Pediatrics or Surgery.
An advice to all HR departments, may you be a call center or a private university, always abide with the provisions of the law. The Labor Code of the Philippines (PD 442) article 160 states that Qualifications of health personnel--the physicians, dentist and nurses employed by employers pursuant to this Chapter shall have the necessary training in industrial medicine and occupational safety and health. The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with industrial, medical and occupational safety and health associations, shall establish the qualifications criteria and conditions of employment of such health personnel.
With this, I rest my case.