Summary
Objectives:
To describe a Swedish approach to occupational health and its implications for health
promotion.
Methods:
We start business with a new customer by creating a health policy for the whole company.
Every year a follow-up is presented to top management where decisions are taken on
what to do for the coming period.
Results:
The result from a paper mill is presented where cost savings were five times more
than expected. We have found that close follow-up and the use of personalized reminders
is very useful for individuals. We have also found the importance of working more
with “the softer side” i.e. looking into a person’s total life situation. Management
training activities are essential. This training includes for instance personality,
communication and conflict handling seminars and every manager has to go through those
seminars. The focus is moved from sick care to health improvement. The result is measured
in long-term health for individuals. To reach that level you have to be healthy and
have no absences for at least two years.
Conclusion:
The Swedish occupational health system is a unique system for creating health. With
a specially trained staff including MDs, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists,
management consultants and engineers, and working from prevention to treatment, they
can create a total view of both individual health and customer company wealth. Working
closely together in teams and in close cooperation with customers, they can initiate
great changes in both these dimensions.
Keywords
Health promotion - new approaches - health improvement - positive attitude
