Dutch occupational physicians and general practitioners wish to improve cooperation

Objectives-To investigate cooperation between occupational physicians (OPs) and general practitioners (GPs). Methods-Literature review; structured interviews; questionnaires sent to randomised samples of OPs (n=232) and GPs (n=243). Results-Actual cooperation is poor. However, more than 80% of both groups responded that they wan cooperation, aiming at better quality of care. Obstacles identified by OPs include insufficient knowledge among GPs about occupational health services (OHSs) (57%) and their patients' working conditions (52%). OPs also consider that GPs suspect them of serving employers more than employees (44%) and of verifying reasons of absence, with information from GPs (34%). Responses from GPs confirm these two suspicions (48%, response 58%), adding obstacles Like commercialisation of OHS, lack of financial incentives, etc. Both groups are unanimous about prerequisites for improvement, especially guaranteeing the professional autonomy of OPs(OPs 86%,GPs 76%). Conclusion-As a first step to overcome obstacles to cooperation, OPs must clarify their position to GP colleagues. Initiatives have been taken after presenting this study.