The multidisciplinary occupational health team is supported by a specialist in general medicine
During autumn 2023, Terveystalo piloted a new operating model in which the occupational health team also included a designated general practitioner. Following positive experiences, the model will be gradually extended to a large number of occupational health clients over the next year. In the future, an experienced general practitioner will bring disease management expertise to the client relationship and act as a "self-medicator" for the company's employees.
The new operating model has so far been tested in several Terveystalo locations in Oulu, Tampere and Helsinki.
– Terveystalo's own data revealed that lifestyle diseases of our occupational health customers are largely under-treated and, when in a poor treatment balance, lead to work capacity challenges and higher absenteeism rates. Having an experienced general practitioner on the occupational health team is part of the solution to minimise the onset and chronicity of preventable lifestyle diseases. In the new model, the GP appointed to the team will have a stronger responsibility, linking and walking alongside the patient in the management of conditions such as long-term illnesses or lifestyle diseases. This provides continuity of care and also speeds up reception work," says Olli Huuskonen, Director of General Medicine at Terveystalo.
The model has also freed up the time of the occupational physician appointed to the team for preventive activities in his or her own specialty.
– Integrated care is at the heart of Terveystalo's strategy, which aims to achieve effective and appropriate activities aimed at the overall well-being of the customer. While the general practitioner is responsible for treating basic illnesses, the time of the occupational health physician assigned to the team can be directed more strongly towards activities that support the work capacity of the individual and the work community to ensure the success of client organisations," says Kaisu Norbäck, Terveystalo's Chief Occupational Health Physician.
The model has received praise from occupational health teams, companies and clients
According to feedback from the autumn pilot, both companies and clients who have visited the practice have been satisfied with the model, as it has ensured that appointment times are readily available both in cases of illness and to their own occupational health physician for work capacity issues.
– The feedback collected during the pilot has been overwhelmingly positive. Based on this feedback, we have further refined certain issues and guidelines and developed the model to increasingly support a smooth customer and professional experience. The aim for the coming year is to appoint a GP to the occupational health team of as many of our clients as possible in a phased and needs-based approach," says Norbäck.
