Dermatologist's procedure 1999 [Hautarztverfahren 1999]

Abstract

In 1972, the 'Verfahren zur Fruherfassung berufsbedingter Hauterkrankungen' ('procedure of early detection of occupational skin diseases'; in short: 'dermatologist's procedure') was first introduced to the public German occupational illness and accident insurance system as a preventive procedure. Thus far, it is unique to occupational skin diseases. Patients with skin disorders that might be related to occupational influences (eg. hand eczema) are immediately to be referred to a dermatologist or an occupational physician, who will then report the case to the public occupational accident insurance system ('dermatologist's report'). Necessary diagnostic efforts (e.g. patch testing) may be undertaken at the expenses of the public occupational accident insurance system. The results will be included in the detailed dermatologist's report. On the basis of the dermatologist's report immediate preventive action can be taken in each individual case to stop the threatening development of an occupational dermatosis. For this purpose a huge variety of preventive measures will be implemented, including eg. further investigations at the workplace, specific skin protection, worker's education, relevant out- or inpatient therapy, etc. On the whole, the dermatologist's procedure has proven its efficacy as a relevant tool to the surveillance, early diagnosis and prevention of occupational skin diseases. Thus, it can serve as a model for prevention of other occupational illnesses.