The Central New York Occupational Health Clinical Center has operated in Syracuse, New York since 1989, providing services to workers in a 14 county area at 3 clinic sites. The past 10 years have been spent earning the trust of workers, learning to overcome barriers to the diagnosis and treatment of workers with occupational illnesses placed by employers and compensation insurance carriers, and creating an environment in which workers can advocate for themselves and collectively in achieving for workplace health and safety changes.
We have had some measure of success in our efforts in filing workers compensation cases, participating in community education efforts, and treating the worker and family more holistically. Still we are constantly striving to find ways to facilitate worker involvement and empowerment in health and safety issues in the work place, and ultimately prevent future illnesses. Our approach to this ongoing challenge includes establishing and maintaining trust with workers and unions, being visible in the community, and always commenting and responding to worker issues and initiatives in order to influence the debate.
The current business friendly climate in the state, the steady exodus of manufacturing jobs from the area, resistance to providing workplace accommodations, and the evolution of comp carriers' strategies to limit access to diagnostic testing and treatment through denial and delay are barriers which we face daily. Our experiences in meeting these challenges as health care providers and advocates for workers in their struggle will be presented and discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, the participant will be able to: 1.List 5 barriers faced by health providers in obtaining diagnostic testing, treatment, and workplace accomodations for workers with occupational disease. 2.Discuss current and proposed methods to facilitate worker action in addressing health and safety issues in the workplace. 3.Articulate the risks and benefits for workers seeking health and safety improvements at the workplace
Keywords: Occupational Health Care,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Central New York Occupational Health Clinical Center,
New York State Occupational Health Clinic Network
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.