Achievements and Future Challenges in the Support of the Balance of Work and Medical Treatment at the Hospital of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, in 2018-2020

Abstract

The Japanese government is making full-scale efforts to support working people who suffer from cancer and/or other diseases, as it seeks to support a balance of work and receiving medical treatment. The Hospital of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, opened its Support Center of Treatment and Work Balance in 2018. This is a multi-disciplinary department for supporting the balance of work and medical treatment. It also opened its Department of Occupational Medicine, the first such department in Japan to provide medical diagnosis and treatment dedicated to supporting that same balance. Our team has supported 704 patients through our activities over the past 3 years. The number of patients supported has increased each year, while the number of departments providing support has also trended upward. There has also been an increase in opinions by attending physicians regarding employment, as well as the number of cases covered by public medical insurance.Here we suggest two factors in our hospital's growth in these activities: (1) many of the clinicians are qualified as occupational physicians, and (2) the organizational strength of our team, which has a vision for balancing support and subsequently promotes that vision. We hope that this report will lead to the balance of support activities in Japan and contribute to the model internationally.

Association Between Types of Chronic Disease and Receiving Workplace Accommodations

“…One reason that cancer survivors were likely to receive workplace accommodations in the current study is that the Japanese government supports employment for cancer survivors as a national policy. For example, cancer survivors in Japan can use a national medical insurance service to share written medical information between their physician and their workplace 10 . Similarly, in the United Kingdom, general practitioners use a medical certificate (Statement of Fitness for Work) for assessing the fitness for work of workers with chronic diseases to advise employers about conditions that would allow the employee to return to work, such as changing their work hours or moving them to a different location 8 .…”

“…For example, cancer survivors in Japan can use a national medical insurance service to share written medical information between their physician and their workplace. 10 Similarly, in the United Kingdom, general practitioners use a medical certificate (Statement of Fitness for Work) for assessing the fitness for work of workers with chronic diseases to advise employers about conditions that would allow the employee to return to work, such as changing their work hours or moving them to a different location. 8 Small business employers need information about work adjustments and communication skills to support the return to work of workers with cancer.…”

“…As a result, many large-scale enterprises have set flexible working arrangements (e.g., teleworking and staggered working hours) and provide access to the consultation services of occupational physicians 9 . In addition, some medical institutions have set up departments specializing in employment support 10 . Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020, even small- and medium-scale enterprises have provided workplace accommodations, such as teleworking, for workers with chronic diseases who are at high risk of serious COVID-19 infection 11 …”

“…9 In addition, some medical institutions have set up departments specializing in employment support. 10 Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020, even small-and medium-scale enterprises have provided workplace accommodations, such as teleworking, for workers with chronic diseases who are at high risk of serious COVID-19 infection. 11 Workplace accommodations are considered based on the symptoms and disabilities of workers with chronic diseases.…”

Pre-operative Physical Performance Is Associated With Early Return to Work in Peri-operative Lung Cancer Patients

“…The University Hospital of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, established Japan's first Department of Occupational Medicine in 2018, specializing in health promotion and employment support. The Department of Occupational Medicine arranges and proposes solutions to employment issues from the standpoint of a medical institution in cooperation with the attending physician's department and issues a written opinion from the attending physician to the employer when necessary [18].…”