Evaluation of an occupational health service for general practitioners and their staff in a primary care trust

Background An occupational health service was set up in 2002 for general practitioners (GPs) and their staff in a London primary care trust (PCT). The service was based on a needs assessment undertaken in the locality in 1998. Aims To evaluate awareness, usage and perceived helpfulness of the service amongst GPs and practice managers, and to ascertain current perceived priorities for what to include in the service. Methods Questionnaire survey sent postally and electronically to 199 named GPs and 69 practice managers in 78 practices in the PCT. Results Overall 119/268 (44%) responses were received from 54/78 practices (69%). Awareness of the existence of the service was high (76%), and although uptake had been poor, this was not related to a perception that the service was unlikely to be helpful. Almost all those who had used the service had found it helpful. Nineteen (16%) respondents asked for more information about the service. Advice on health and safety law and fitness for work assessments were the highest priorities and hepatitis B immunization lowest, as in the 1998 needs assessment. However, a discrepancy between GPs and practice managers with regard to the perceived relative importance of pre-employment health screening and counselling/stress management emerged. Conclusions The service is valued by users but could be developed by exploring new ways to disseminate information about the service and deliver it.