85294 - Occupational Medicine

Learning outcomes

Define the major occupational health problems in terms of clinical features, epidemiology and exposures causing those health problems. Discuss the concepts of occupational epidemiology, biological and environmental monitoring of workplace hazards, and measures that can be taken to control these hazards. Identify strategies to promote the physical, psychological and social well-being of workers in their work-place.

Course contents

Introduction and general fundamentals of Occupational Medicine

Introduction to occupational medicine

Classification of occupational risk factors

Occupational diseases due to Physical, Biological and Biomechanical risk factors

Some physical risk factors: radiations, heat, noise, hand-arm and whole-body vibration

Some biological risk factors: airborne diseases (Flu, TBC, Covid-19), bloodborne diseases (Hepatitis B&C, HIV)

Some biomechanical risk factors Manual work, manual material Handling and related musculoskeletal disorders and diseases (low-back pain, upper and lower limb diseases)

Occupational diseases mainly due to Chemical risk factors

Occupational toxicology and industrial hygiene: general concepts

Respiratory diseases (Pneumoconiosis, Interstitial lung diseases, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Skin diseases (Acute and chronic dermatitis, Photosensitivity, Folliculitis, Pigment changes)

Cancers (Lung and Pleura, Upper respiratory tract, Liver, Bladder, Skin)

Toxicology of metals (Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, Nickel)

Toxicology of solvents (Aromatic hydrocarbons: Benzene, Toluene; Alcohols: Methanol, Propanol; Ethylacetate)

Toxicology of pesticides (Organophosphate and Carbamates; Organochlorine; Pyrethroids; Glyphosate; Dichloropropane)

Occupational diseases mainly due to psychosocial risk factors

Models for occupational stress assessment and related health effects

Special issues

Occupational medicine in the healthcare work setting

Reproductive health in the workplace and pertinent legislation

The practice of the occupational physician and medico-legal requirements applicable to occupational injuries and diseases

Readings/Bibliography

- Mutti A. and Corradi M. Lezioni di Medicina del Lavoro. Nuova Editrice Berti, 2021

- LaDou J and Harrison R. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. McGraw-Hill Education, 2021

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures and discussions, assisted by slides, videos and handouts

Assessment methods

The exam will focus on the issues indicated in the above "Course contents" section and will cover all the subjects of the Integrated Course (Forensic Medicine, Occupational Medicine and Social Pedagogy): it will consist of a multiple-choice test with four answers for each question; students will be required to select one correct answer from the choices offered as a list.

A total of 62 questions will be included: 31 about Forensic Medicine, 31 about Occupational Medicine. To get the maximum final score (30/30 cum laude) students should answer correctly to more than 60 questions. If the number of right scoring is 59 or 60 then the final score will be 30/30. Minimum final scoring (18/30) will be awarded for 36 correct answers and a pass score for each subject. Final score will be proportionally calculated for intermediate results. The time for completing the test will be 60 minutes.

Teaching tools

If needed, they will be distributed directly or via the university website. Students who need compensatory tools, due to disability-related reasons or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), are invited to inform the teacher of their needs as soon as possible in order to adopt the appropriate measures, as feasible.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Saverio Violante

See the website of Paolo Boffetta