[Preventive care of pregnant employees. Is there a need to set rules of cooperation between occupational and gynecologist-obstetricians?].

BACKGROUND

From 2008 the obstetric care for pregnancy-related conditions has been the most common cause of sickness absence. One of the postulated causes of frequent use of sick leaves by gravids is the fear of potential harmful and arduous factors in the workplace. An insufficient involvement of occupational health services in the implementation of actions aimed at protecting pregnant employees from risks to their health and safety in the work environment, imposed by Polish law, is also suggested.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A survey on the current state of preventive care of pregnant employees was conducted among gynecologists-obstetricians working in the Lodz hospitals. They were asked to present their opinions in this regard.

RESULTS

In the opinion of the surveyed gynecologists occupational physicians do not implement their tasks involving preventive care of pregnant employees, and the main burden of care lies with their gynecologists. They admitted that the decision to certify that a pregnant employee is temporarily unable to work is determined not only by the health assessment of a pregnant employee, but also by exposures and loads occurring in her workplace. They emphasized the lack of direct contacts between gynecologists and occupational physicians who should share the information on the potential impact of working conditions on the pregnant employee's health.

CONCLUSION

The survey confirmed the need, noticed also by gynecologists to elaborate standards of specific preventive care addressed to pregnant employees and to set the rules of cooperation between occupational physicians and gynecologist-obstetricians.