Bringing the field to the physician: A migrant and seasonal farmworker occupational health guide

Julie Ann Sorensen, MS, Research, NYCAMH/NEC, One Atwell Rd., Cooperstown, NY 13820, 607-547-6023, jsorensen@nycamh.com, Giulia Earle-Richardson, MPH, NYCAMH/NEC, Northeast Center for Agricultural & Occupational Health, 1 Atwell Rd, Cooperstown, NY 13326, and John J. May, MD, NYCAMH/NEC, Northeast Center for Agricultural Medicine & Health, One Atwell Rd., Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Background: previous research by the authors indicate that occupational injuries and illnesses account for roughly 15% of adult farmworker medical visits at migrant health centers. However, the majority of the physicians and other medical care providers do not have training in occupational medicine, particularly as it relates to agricultural manual labor. Furthermore, a number of constraints make worksite assessments (common in occupational medicine) impossible in this setting,

Research Objective: to determine the most effective means of summarizing: a) occupational data on the farm work environment; b) common farm work-related pathology; c) cultural competence principles; and d) current occupational medicine techniques as applied to migrant and seasonal farmworkers for medical care providers at migrant health centers.

Specific research questions to be answered are: · What format (reference manual, CD, web-based material, in-person presentation) is most useful? · What extent of descriptive data regarding the commodity-specific worksite is most helpful for physicians? · Do physical therapy techniques translate well into the medical visit setting? · What extent of meaningful coping or preventive measures can be provided to patients through this media?

Methods: Pilot material has been developed, which is currently being tested with medical care providers who see migrant and seasonal farmworkers in their practices. In addition, farmworker patient interviews will be held to answer questions regarding appropriateness of certain recommendations.

Results: Results of physician interviews and successful pilot materials will be presented. Conclusions and plans for a formal evaluation will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

Objectives

1. Which formats are most useful in a low-income clinical setting (reference manual, CD, web-based material, in-person presentation)?
2. How the occupational medicine perspective can be blended with the unique need of the migrant farmworker to better serve that population
3. Conclusions regarding which meaningful coping or preventive measures can be provided to patients through this media?
4. How epidemiologic research can be translated into interventions directed at the medical care system

Keywords: Health Care, Minority Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Occupational Health & Safety Topics: Poster Session

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA