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 ra ndomised samples of OPs (n=232) and GPs (n=243). Results-Actual cooperation is poor. However, more than 80% of both groups r esponded that they wan cooperation, aiming at better quality of care. Obsta cles identified by OPs include insufficient knowledge among GPs about occup ational health services (OHSs) (57%) and their patients' working conditions (52%). OPs also consider that GPs suspect them of serving employers more t han employees (44%) and of verifying reasons of absence, with information f rom GPs (34%). Responses from GPs confirm these two suspicions (48%, respon se 58%), adding obstacles Like commercialisation of OHS, lack of financial incentives, etc. Both groups are unanimous about prerequisites for improvem ent, especially guaranteeing the professional autonomy of OPs(OPs 86%,GPs 7 6%). Conclusion-As a first step to overcome obstacles to cooperation, OPs must c larify their position to GP colleagues. Initiatives have been taken after p resenting this study.