BECOMING OF THE MOROCCAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PHYSICIANS
Background
The occupational health physician is a central player in workplace prevention. It represents the interface between worker health and the professional environment. However, he may encounter several obstacles hindering the exercise of his functions. The objective of this survey is to study the becoming of Moroccan occupational physicians in order to take stock of the situation and to know the issues.
Methods
This is a descriptive cross-sectional observational study which was conducted among Moroccan occupational physicians using an online self-questionnaire.
Results
64 responses obtained. 67.2% of physicians were satisfied with the training. 56.3% judged that the initial training did not allow them to carry out their missions well at the start of their career. 81.3% of physicians practiced occupational medicine; 62.5% practiced it part-time and 57.8% practiced it alongside healthcare medicine. Job dissatisfaction was noted in 61.2% and pay dissatisfaction in 62%.
85.9% of physicians judged that discipline is not well practiced in Morocco, 74.2% considered that there is hindrance to the exercise of their missions and 98.4% noticed in their practice that there is confusion between “occupational medicine” and “care medicine”.
Conclusion
Moroccan occupational physicians face several challenges and obstacles in the exercise of their functions for several reasons, mainly a weak culture and an insufficiency of the legal system in this area. A reform of the occupational health and safety system, improvement of training and reorganization of occupational medicine in Morocco are now more than necessary.
Keywords: occupational health physician; occupational health; training; becoming; satisfaction; issues
