Medical preparations, documentation and evaluation in advance of foreign assignments
Dear Collegue,
A complete and thorough health
examination with background social and medical data, documented in English,
has to be performed well in advance of the foreign assignment.
The employee as well as accompanying family members
are to be included.
The results of the complete questioning and examination as below are
used to make a risk assessment regarding medical and social aspects of the
expatriation of the person/family, also from an insurance point of view, and
are to be evaluated by us before the final decision about the assignment is
made. Therefore, it is very important that the information is complete, and
that you and the candidate are well aware of this process.
The following paragraphs have to be included in the documentation
sent to us:
- information about who the employer incl. address and
contact data.
- information
about the nationality of the patient, in which country the patient
lives at present and where he/she intends to go for work. Full name and
address incl. telephone numbers and e-mail address to the patient must be
included as well as birth data.
- a personally signed declaration of health by
the patient, documented e.g. according to a form from an insurance
company, and a full medical history. Hypersensitivity against drugs
and more pronounced allergies shall be asked for and documented as well as
ongoing medication etc..
- a general physical examination by a
qualified physician, documented in e.g. a form from an insurance company.
Dated and signed by the examining physician and also including postal
address incl. country as well as telephone and/or e-mail address to the
physician.
- laboratory test data and/or measurements, see below.
Pathological data has to be commented upon, e.g. if the patient has been
referred for further analysis or consultations.
- a complete history of earlier immunizations
and information about which immunizations and/or malaria prophylaxis
that has been recommended and/or given as well as if the candidate has
accepted the advice and fulfilled the immunization program. To be
documented.
- an exploration of the social situation,
including if family members will accompany the candidate abroad and in
that case their opinion of the assignment, or if anyone will stay at home.
To be documented.
- a questioning about life-style factors
including alcohol and narcotic drug usage, smoking and physical exercise
habits. To be documented.
- an exploration of the expected abilities of the
patient to adapt to the new professional and social environment as
well as to adapt to the climatic conditions at the place of intended post.
The patient’s earlier experiences of foreign assignments and new environments
and tasks have to be explored and documented.
- finally, we ask you to give your professional opinion
about the patient/family as for the particular foreign assignment, from a
medical as well as a social point of view. Is/are the person(s) suited or
not according to your opinion or can you foresee any potential problems?
Laboratory screening in advance of a foreign
assignment
Adults 16 years of age and above
Height and weight
Blood pressure at rest
Electrocardiogram (12 leads) at rest
Lung function test (if pulmonary dysfunction is suspected)
Chest X-ray (not in persons below the age of 20 if there are no
suspicions of pulmonary or cardiac disease)
Mammography (in female patients 45 years of age or above or if any close
female relative has had cancer of the mammary gland)
Haemoglobin
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
WBC (white blood count) and differential count (if
assigned outside
Blood chemistry including at least liver enzymes, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium and
glucose. PSA (prostate specific antigen) in male
patients 55 years of age or above or if any close male relative have had cancer
of the prostate
Immunologic screening for syphilis, hepatitis B and C, HIV (if required by
the country of destination or if the patient may have been exposed to
the infectious agents)
Urinalysis (protein, glucose, haemoglobin)
Test of visual acuity
Test of hearing ability
Concerning blood and urine chemistry, the
normal range of values used by the laboratory performing the tests have to be
provided and pathological data have to be commented upon by the examining
physician. The same goes for abnormalities regarding other parameters, like
pathological ECG, much reduced visual acuity, substantial
overweight etc..
Laboratory screening in advance of a foreign
assignment
Children under the age of 16
Height and weight
Chest X-ray (only if there are suspicions of pulmonary or cardiac
disease)
Haemoglobin
WBC (white blood count) and differential count (if
assigned outside
Urinalysis (protein, glucose, haemoglobin)
Test of visual acuity (if the age of the child permits)
Test of hearing ability (if the age of the child permits)
Concerning blood and urine chemistry, the
normal range of values used by the laboratory performing the tests have to be
provided and pathological data have to be commented upon by the examining
physician. The same goes for abnormalities regarding other parameters, like
much reduced visual acuity, reduced length related to age, substantial
overweight etc..
The information 1-10 of
employer and patient/family, destination, declaration of health, information
about the medical history, reports of the general physical examination,
laboratory results, immunizations as well as other
written information as above are to be sent in a sealed envelope to the
undersigned. If anything is unclear, please let us know, if possible by e-mail.
Thank you very much!
Yours sincerely,
Robert
Sinclair, MD, PhD
Senior Medical Consultant
International Health
Center of Volvo
Carlanderska hospital
SE-412 55 Göteborg
Phone +46 (0)31 187200
Fax +46 (0)31 188010
E-mail contact@ihc.nu