Occupational Health Nurses Practices in Providing Occupational Health Services for Health Workers
Kalampakorn S, PhD1, Vanichayobol Y, MSN2, Boonyamalik P, PhD1, Bandhukul A, MD3
Affiliation : 1 Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Bureau of Nursing, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand 3 Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the occupational health nurse practices in providing occupational health
services for health workers and its related factors.
Materials and Methods : A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 320 occupational health nurses working in tertiary care
hospitals with occupational medicine departments located in all regions of Thailand. Data were collected using the mailed
questionnaires with a response rate of 65.9%. A total of 211 samples were analyzed.
Results : Findings indicated that occupational health nurse practice in providing services for health workers was mostly at a high
level of performance (62.6%). Knowledge and skills in occupational health, number of nurses in the occupational medicine
department, occupational health information management, and job responsibility were significantly associated with high performing
practice related to occupational health services for health workers and these factors altogether could predict 28.6% of the variance
in occupational health nurses practices in providing occupational health services for health workers (p<0.05).
Conclusion : Findings suggest that knowledge and skills related to occupational health nursing should be developed through various
means of continuing education. To enhance the practices in providing occupational health services for health workers, occupational
health information management and job description should be developed. Staffing issues should also be addressed by the hospital
administrators.
Keywords : Occupational health nurse, Occupational health services, Health workers, Health care settings
