Health and safety issues in micro and small enterprises (MSEs) are recognized as a global challenge. This study aimed to examine Workers' Health Centers (WHCs) as a representative public organization providing occupational health services to MSEs in Korea. WHCs were established in 2011 after a trial period aimed at addressing occupational diseases in MSEs with limited resources. As of 2024, there are 24 WHCs, 22 branch offices, and 23 trauma counseling centers for workers. These health centers are managed by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, with their actual operation delegated to private organizations. Each WHC employs an average of 13 staff members and is organized into four specialized teams: cardiovascular disease prevention, workplace environment improvement, musculoskeletal disease prevention, and occupational stress management. These centers also offer common basic programs along with region-specific specialized initiatives. In 2023, the total cumulative number of users reached 203,877, with employees from MSEs comprising approximately 88.5% of the total. WHCs can thus be seen as playing a pivotal role as case managers of health requirements in the workplace by fostering strong relationships with MSEs and linking them to other relevant programs through a problem-solving-oriented approach. Given the limited resources of these enterprises, proactive policies and the equitable application of safety and health regulations are essential. A balanced strategy that combines regulatory enforcement with practical assistance is critical to ensure the success of WHCs in improving health and safety conditions in MSEs.
, Hye-Sook Park, Jeong-Youn Kim, Kyung Yong Rhee, Seong-Min Hyeon, Ji-Young Oh, Soo-Keun Kim, Hyun-Joo Kim, Eun-Hee Ha This study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the government-funded subsidized occupational health program for small-scale enterprises(GSOHP_SSE) by occupational health communication in workplace.
We sampled the 1,835 enterprises of study by proportional stratified random sampling among industries of supported and not supported by GSOHP_SSE in Seoul, Ansan, Daejeon, Kwangjoo and Pohang. Information on the general characteristics of enterprises and respondants and occupational health communication in the workplace was collected on self-reported questionnaires by post-survey between December 6 and 15 in 2001. We received answers from 463 enterprises and analyzed 228 enterprises through data-cleaning by logistic regression to evaluate effectiveness of GSOHP-SSE about occupational health communication in the workplace.
By multiple logistic regression analysis, GSOHP_SSE turned out not to be statistically significant factor in all dependent variables about occupational health communication in the workplace. The concern of owner(odds ratio (below OR) ; 1.63, 95% confidence interval(below 95% CI) ; 0.38-7.01), formation(OR ; 3.67, 95% CI ; 1.00-13.44) and empowerment(OR ; 1.48, 95% CI ; 0.25-8.91) of health manager, request about occupational health problem of health manager(OR ;4.48, 95% CI ; 0.97-20.57) and occupational health communication of owner (OR ; 3.07, 95% CI ; 0.81-11.71) had the trend increasing OR in the industries supported GSOHP_SSE relative to the industries not supported. But in recognition of possibility on occupational health communication of laborers, OR of GSOHP_SSE was decreased in 0.53(95% CI ; 0.11-2.44).
This study found that the GSOHP_SSE was some effective to the side of employer and health manager, but had a limitation about change of communication culture useful to the laborers. We suggested the laborer-centered health training programs or the empowerment-based health training programs for effective occupational health management in the workplace.
, Eun Hee Ha, Hye Sook Park, Hyong Sook Ahn, Jin Sook Ahn, Cha Hyung Wie This study was designed to develop the referral system of patient in small-sized industries and the medical delivery system in occupational health field.
We sampled randomly 5 workers per each company in 57 companies and investigated the healthcare utilization behavior, the need for referral system. The survey was done from April 1. 1998 to May 30. 1998 and the respondents were 213. On the basis of the results, we planned model for the referral system between Korean Industrial Health Association(KIHA) and Ewha Medical Center(EMC).
The complaints of the utilization of medical service are cumbersome process of registration and reservation, and discord between hours of duty and consultation. The referral system is needed in 76.7% of total respondents. 85.6% of workers want the night clinic, and 91.3% want to be included their family in this referral system.
We developed the referral system linking KIHA, EMC, and department of preventive medicine of Ewha Woman's University, which based on the result of survey. The service reflect the worker's the healthcare utilization behavior and need for referral system. The number of workers who referred by this system between Feb. 1998 and Jan. 1999 was 30, and replied by EMC after treating was 12. The number of referred patient is very law(30 spells), but the satisfaction of medical service is relatively high.
To promote the referral system, it is needed to propaganda the service of referral system to workers and managers of each company, to improve of quality of services of the hospital, and to establish the official referral system between department of preventive medicine of Ewha woman's university and each clinical department of Ewha Medical Center.
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