Interview – Fit In The Medicine Job: Specialist In Occupational Medicine

Medical advisor and confidante in companies: Dr. Christa Kerschgens reports from her day-to-day work as a doctor in various companies. MedicMind AU took an appointment to collect information on her experiences and job satisfaction.

Miss Dr. Kerschgens, why does a company need a company doctor?

Many employers are committed to offering their employees good working conditions. However, there is sometimes a lack of knowledge about the necessary structures for systematic health management. This is where we company doctors come into play. We advise and support both managers and individual employees in preventive healthcare. All companies – even very small ones – are obliged to do this.

When I have a particularly heavy workload in the office, I sometimes get back pain – what do you advise me?

First, I get a comprehensive picture of the possible causes. Among other things, I will clarify whether you have previous illnesses. Cramps in the shoulder and neck muscles when working with a computer screen can be triggered, for example, by impaired vision, which is why screen screening with a possible examination of the eye is included in the Ordinance on Occupational Medical Care. Then I look at what health stresses and hazards occur in your workplace. What is your sequence of movements, are the chair, desk, monitor and keyboard ergonomically adjusted? It could be that I recommend exercise, exercise or a height-adjustable desk that can be used as a standing workstation.

What if the problems are mainly stress-related?

Back problems can in fact also be based on psychological stress, for example through conflicts with team members or superiors. In this case I would show you ways to get rid of the stress: for example, progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson or autogenic training. These are individual approaches. In occupational medicine, however, we also always pursue the system concept. So we always consider the entire organization and bring our knowledge to bear in the company’s own processes while maintaining medical confidentiality. For example, we help with clarification in the company: What are the possible risks of psychological stress? How can these be dismantled? What options are there in the team Solving conflicts and relieving tensions? It makes sense to work with those responsible for company health management.

How exactly does company medical care work in a company?

As a rule, I look after a company over a long-term period. I visit some companies several times a month, others only around twice a year, as needed. I usually visit a company for a whole day and then work off a whole bunch of appointments and tasks.

How does a typical visiting day work?

The occasion could be an occupational health and safety committee meeting that I am attending. For example, accidents at work and on the way to and from work are evaluated, but also company-specific issues insofar as they concern occupational safety or occupational health and safety. This is often followed by individual appointments with employees. For example, I give recommendations on precautionary measures for certain activities, or I carry out aptitude tests.

We have already touched on the subject of stress. Mental illnesses are increasing as a cause of inability to work. How do you observe this development?

Physical illnesses such as viral infections occur much more frequently, but usually only lead to short periods of incapacity for work. Mental illness, on the other hand, often causes long periods of inability to work. As a company doctor, I do not treat any individual mental illnesses, such as depression. Specialists such as psychiatrists or psychotherapists are responsible for this. My job is to recommend preventive measures to the company and employees in order to reduce stress. In addition, I accompany mentally ill people when they return to work.

Outside help

Companies can rely on the services of external company doctors to ensure that they receive company medical care. Christa Kerschgens works in one of these companies as a team leader and as a national subject responsible for rehabilitation and social medicine. She is a specialist in occupational medicine and internal medicine, social, rehabilitation, travel and sports medicine.

To what extent do working conditions contribute to the rise in mental illness?

There is no single causal answer to this question. On the one hand, I have the impression that work intensification is increasing across all sectors and that the freedom to relax and recuperate is dwindling. However, there is no reliable data on this. On the other hand, mental illnesses are recorded better today than in the past – so perhaps the increase also has statistical causes. The sensitivity to the risk of mental illness has increased – that is gratifying. The risk assessment also contributes to this. In 2013, the legislature once again emphasized that employers must also take psychological stress into account.

Psychological stress is one thing – what other changes in our working world are you observing?

Digitization and demographic change. For one thing, there is much more screen work today than there was three or four decades ago. Even small craft businesses work with digital media. On the other hand, an increasing number of older employees with pre-existing illnesses are still in work. They should too! In order to face this constant change in the world of work, employees need qualification offers, but they also need measures to promote health in the company to cope with physical and mental challenges.

What opportunities and risks for health do digital change bring with it?

In terms of health, mobile working, in particular, offers the opportunity to improve the work-life balance. However, I also see the risk that the boundaries between work and leisure will become blurred. In addition, working people could get lonely if they often work from home. Work is more than just providing a service. It should also promote social cohesion, offer a meaningful context and support professional development. This includes personal contacts that cannot be completely replaced by e-mails and phone calls.

Why is it important to keep older employees in the company?

You are characterized by extensive professional and life experience, often also by great loyalty to your employer. However, illnesses or natural aging processes can limit certain abilities. As an occupational health specialist, I see my task in supporting companies in their change management, vigilantly monitoring the workability and satisfaction of employees, including the younger ones and providing useful advice and assistance.