Product Description

First published in 1988, Fitness for Work has grown to become the UK 'bible' of occupational health and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine's flagship publication. This fourth edition reflects significant developments in legislation and guidelines, and changes in the information requirements of those working in the field. Demographic factors, such as an ageing population, and changes in work practice and social and political policy, mean the need for advice on the effedts of medical conditions on employments and working capability is increasing. In keeping with previous editions, chapters are organized by medical condition, and co-authored by both a topic specialist and a specialist occupational physician. The reader will find practical guidance on the employment potential and assessment of anyone with an illness or disability. There is additional coverage of the ethical and legal aspects of ill health at work. There is an attempt to include, where possible, the evidence base and guidelines behind the findings. This update also reflects recent government focus on a more holistic approach to health problems in employment, and initiatives to encourage peoplet o stay at work and return to work, rather than supporting them at home. To an extent, occupational medicine must be tailored to individual patients under unique and specific circumstance. However, this book provides a wealth of useful consensus guidance, codes of practice, and locally evolved standards, to enable clinical judgements to be made. It is the most comprehensive text available on the effects of ill health on employment.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #103906 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 760 pages

Review
It has deservedly become the valued 'bible' of occupational health and as such a key resource for all groups of occupational health practitioners, safety staff, human resources managers, and a wide range of other clinical and public health specialists working in hospitals and primary care...the content of this book has been revised to ensure that it continues to provide appropriate and authoritative up-to-date guidance to all who are involved in addressing health issues associated with employment. (Public Health )

Fitness for Work has now been transformed from a report of a committee to the standard texbook of occupational medicine. ...Four editions in 20 years is a remarkable achievement for any medical textbook and reflects not only the changes and advances in medicine, but also the esteem in which the book is now held. ...Occupational physicians and occupational health nurses are more and more involved in litigation cases and, for this alone, this book should be required reading. ... no occupational physician, occupational health nurse, GP nor any person who may have to sit on, or give evidence to, an industrial tribunal should be without this comprehensive book. s

[This book] is virtually an exclusive library in its own right....an organically expanding compendium of contemporary wisdom and reference for many professionals in countless areas of care, research and discovery. The successive forewards and prefaces to all four editions make inspiring and provocative reading, well worth introductory browsing time to realise the full design and value of the work. (RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Journal )

...the standard textbook of occupational medicine...Four editions in 20 years is a remarkable achievement for any medical textbook and reflects not only the changes and advances in medicine, legislation and the practice of occupational medicine that have occurred, but also the esteem in which the book is now held. (Occupational Health )

Customer Reviews

How To Be Healthy Though Working
This substantial book contains a wealth of useful information on matters of concern to employees and employers. It would be an excellent acquisition for any workplace
fortunate enough to possess a library, and ideally should be widely available for consultation as the need may arise. Certainly Personnel, Health and Safety, and Welfare specialists as well as rank-and-file workers might have occasion to refer to it from time to time. Its coverage is extensive and authoritative - there are nearly 30 chapters by different expert authors. A few highlights may give a flavour of the work.
In Chapter 2 'Legal Aspects', readers are reminded of provisions under common law (in England, but Employment protection law applies in Scotland in the same way), statute law, and European directives. Employers have a common law duty of reasonable care, and are required to guard against reasonably foreseeable risks, while employees need to take reasonable care and cooperate with safety measures. Chapter 3 expounds the specific provisions and consequences for employers and OPs of the Disability Discrimination Act, while Chapter 5 makes the point that the Occupational Physician's (OP) role differs from that of other specialists and GPs, emphasising that whatever conflicts of interest or loyalty may arise, the interests of the individual patient must, ethically, come first. There should be no conflict between the 'business ethics' of the company and the OP's own as a doctor, and he/she should strive to influence the company in this regard.
The important topic of stress is dealt with in Chapter 7, 'Psychiatric Disorders', the working definition of a stressful situation being one of disparity between the demands made on a worker and his/her ability to respond, where the worker has little or no control, and may be actual or perceived. Work-related stressors may be intrinsic to the job, role-related or interpersonal. More generally, the line taken is that the psychological environment should be assessed in the way accepted as appropriate for physical, chemical and biological hazards; a participative approach is advocated in preference to an autocratic style of management. Chapters 11, on Spinal Disorders, and 25 on Alcohol and Drug Misuse, are like the rest of the book very competently presented, and would be good to have on hand to refer to in case of need. In a final Chapter, 27, the topic is an increasingly high-profile one, 'Work and the Older Employee'. Information and advice is given on healthy ageing and production, with the aim of correcting some of the limitations often imposed on members of this group, stemming from stereotypes that should be challenged, such as the belief that ability/motivation to learn new skills deteriorates with age. The book's overall message might be paraphrased to the effect that the contribution of workers of all kinds and at all levels should be appreciated and encouraged in a way that does them no harm. Half a dozen appendices, references, address list and index add further use-value to this hefty and worthwhile tome.

Mostly good but some obvious deficiencies
Although a largely useful reference, the chapters are of variable quality and don't always address issues that are of most value to practicing OPs. The most notable lack is a chapter dedicated to CFS or other similarly difficult diseases that are commonly encountered in practice. What information there is on CFS is contradictory and hence somewhat unhelpful to the reader. However a useful resource nevertheless, and a book that all involved in Occupational Medicine should have available to them.

fitness for work
good and informative, without being exhausting. makes good study book and relevant to occupation. focused and clearly written. the only flaw may be not including pictures.