Is There a Doctor In-House?

A number of companies currently face health-related problems serious enough to threaten their very survival. The problems usually involve lawsuits against the manufacturers of hazardous substances or products, but they may also involve employees in the workplace. These firms may be well advised to strengthen their in-house medical function so they can better deal with such problems. The company doctor has traditionally been limited to practicing occupational medicine and routinely signing forms needed by the corporation and the government. Now, however, it might be sensible to follow the example of leading-edge firms that have strengthened their medical departments and given them a more strategic role. There are 3 major roles for corporate medicine: 1. health care services, 2. medical adjudication, which can include presenting medical evidence in workers compensation cases or arranging for rehabilitation, and 3. environmental health. Companies need to devise a policy framework and define objectives and operating principles for company health activities.