South African Society of Occupational Medicine

News Release

Insights and Innovations: Highlights from the SASOM Roadshow 2024 - Session 2

Virtual Session, August 14, 2024 – The South African Society of Occupational Medicine (SASOM) successfully hosted the second session of the SASOM Roadshow 2024 on 14 August 2024, bringing together Occupational Medical Practitioners (OMPs) and other professionals for a highly engaging and informative virtual event. The session, titled “Peer-review networking for occupational medicine practitioners (OMPs),” was expertly chaired by Ms Claudina Nogueira, SASOM ExCo member and ICOH National Secretary for South Africa.

The session featured four distinguished speakers, each providing invaluable insights into various aspects of occupational medicine:

  • Dr Jan Lapere delivered a comprehensive presentation on “The scope of profession of OMPs.” He emphasized the ethical obligations and clinical roles of OMPs, covering critical areas such as fitness for work assessments, health screenings, medical surveillance, and the management of workplace injuries. Dr Lapere also addressed non-clinical functions like workplace risk assessments and occupational health governance. His discussion highlighted the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines set forth by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and avoiding common pitfalls in professional conduct.
  • Dr Jesne Kistan provided an insightful overview of palliative care in her presentation, “Why does it matter to occupational health practitioners (OHPs)?” Dr Kistan underscored the importance of integrating palliative care into occupational health practices to enhance the quality of life for patients with serious, irreversible illnesses. She challenged common misconceptions and emphasised that palliative care is not just for the terminally ill but should be considered from the diagnosis of any serious illness, especially in cases related to work-related diseases.
  • Dr Nicholas van der Water shared his unique experiences in his talk, “Different but good: A tale of an OMP’s journey to the Emerald Isle.” Drawing from his transition from South Africa to Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr van der Water explored the differences and similarities in occupational medicine practices between the two countries. His engaging presentation provided valuable lessons on adapting to different healthcare systems while maintaining the core principles of occupational medicine.
  • Dr Geoffrey Tafaune concluded the session with a detailed discussion on “Lower back pain evaluation by the OMP: Remember the red and yellow flags.” Dr Tafaune highlighted the prevalence of chronic low back pain in the workplace and the importance of a thorough evaluation process. He stressed the significance of recognising red and yellow flags in clinical cases to ensure effective management and avoid unnecessary interventions.

Each presentation concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, where participants engaged directly with the speakers, further enriching the learning experience.

Looking Ahead: The final session of the SASOM Roadshow 2024 is scheduled for October 16th, 2024, in Durban, in a hybrid format. The focus will be on “Duties and Responsibilities of Occupational Medicine Practitioners (OMPs).” SASOM encourages all members and stakeholders to attend this crucial event.

For more details on the SASOM Roadshow 2024 and to register for the upcoming session, visit www.sasom.org/roadshow2024.

Certificates of attendance will be provided, and professionals registered with the HPCSA can earn up to 4 CPD credits.