J.J. Mazza, B.
Lee, P. Gunderson and D.
Stueland
NIOSH Education and Information Division
Objective.
To assess the professional competency and educational needs
of rural health care providers in order to develop and disseminate
relevant disease, injury, and environmental information to
health care practitioners in rural and agricultural settings.
Methods.
The Dillman Total Design Method for mail surveys was utilized
for conducting this descriptive, correlational study. A geographically
defined, systematic sampling process was applied to obtain
a representative sample of medical doctors (MDs) and veterinarians
(DVMs) from a midwest region of the USA. Data were collected
on perceived professional competence, availability of resources,
and barriers to continuing education in agricultural health.
Results.
Data from MDs (n=355), RNs (n=137), PAs (n=70), DCs (n=287),
and DVMs (n=388) indicated the most common exposures of their
farming clientele include heavy lifting, environmental dusts
or irritants, hazardous machinery, and excessive sun exposure.
MDs reported greatest competence in diagnosing and treating
traumatic injuries, back strain, skin cancer, and psychological
disorders. MDs indicated they feel least competent in diagnosing
and treating zoonotic illnesses, exposures to pesticides,
noxious gases, and volatile organic chemicals. DVMs are frequently
asked about zoonotic disease, pesticide exposures, and respiratory
ailments but reported competence only in zoonotic diseases.
Major barriers to continuing education opportunities for both
groups included preference for family time, household obligations,
distance to program, cost, and difficulty securing clinical
coverage during absence.
Conclusions.
Survey results revealed variations in professional competency
and educational resources to address agricultural health problems
and, thus, will guide future initiatives for educational endeavors
of rural health practitioners.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This
research abstract was extracted from a portion of the proceedings
of "Agricultural Safety and Health: Detection, Prevention
and Intervention," a conference presented by the Ohio State
University and the Ohio Department of Health, sponsored by
the Centers for Disease Control/National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health.
The
authors noted above are from: J.J. Mazza, B. Lee, P. Gunderson
& D. Stueland, National Farm Medicine Center, Marshfield,
WI.
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