[Occupation-related complaints in general practice on Fyn--occurrence, pattern of notification. A 3-month registration period, 1 September 1989-30 November 1989].

The object of this investigation was to illustrate the occurrence of occupational injuries in general practice and the pattern of notification of occupationally-conditioned complaints. Thirty-three general practitioners in Funen attempted to register all the consultations during day working hours during the period September-November 1989 on account of presumed occupational injuries by means of a multiple-choice form. A total of 393 consultations concerning 213 occupationally-conditioned complaints and 99 occupational accidents were registered, implying that 1.1% of all consultations during day working hours during the period af registration were concerned with occupational accidents and 0.7% with occupationally-conditioned complaints. 37% of the presumed occupationally-conditioned complaints were notified. The fraction of notifications was greatest among female patients and among the more severe, chronic and obviously occupationally-related cases. 63% were not notified. The commonest reasons for this were triviality, unproved causal connection or that further developments were awaited. In 15% of the non-notified cases, it was stated that notification was not anticipated to result in any consequences. It is concluded that occupational injuries constitute both quantitative and qualitative problems of considerable extent in general practice. Only a minority of the presumed occupationally-conditioned complaints were notified. Awareness of the objects of notification must be increased and motivation for notification must be increased by emphasizing the consequences of notification.