Occupational anamnesis in general practice. Does it yield useful information for preventive procedures

: To what extent can general practitioners elucidate connections between working conditions and patterns of health and disease for preventive purposes? Data were collected by means of questionnaires to general practitioners, interviews with patients and by testing out questions to establish an occupational history. Questions covering seven key topics revealed a multitude of possible causal links between working conditions and symptoms. The information may appear irrelevant to the general practitioner, however, if the Labour Inspection (Arbeidstilsynet) or the companies' health services fail to assist.