Fit For Duty

Exceeding Expectations in Occupational Health: An Interview with Barbara Khozam

In this episode of the 'Fit for Duty' podcast, host, Dr. Larry Earl, interviews customer service expert, Barbara Khozam, on strategies to improve customer service in occupational medicine. Discussions focus on challenges of balance between patient needs and employer expectations, ways to create positive patient experiences, best practices for employer communication, the importance of ongoing training for staff, and the utilization of technology for efficient workflows.

Khozam also shares insights from her global professional experiences, demonstrating how empathy and regular recognition of employees contribute to maintaining high service standards even in a busy medical environment. The conversation concludes with some advice on dealing with mistakes and the importance of treating everyone kindly.

Key Conversation Points:

00:06 Introduction to Fit for Duty Podcast

01:06 Exceeding Expectations in Occupational Medicine

01:35 Introducing Barbara Khozam: The Customer Service Magician

02:21 Communication Strategies for Occupational Medicine

02:39 Building Trust and Loyalty with Employer Clients

03:38 Effective Communication in Sensitive Work-Related Topics

05:52 Leveraging Technology for Better Customer Service

07:36 Building Stronger Relationships with Employers

11:07 The Role of Recognition in Customer Service

24:00 Balancing the Needs of Patients and Employers

26:39 Lessons from Volleyball: Teamwork and Customer Service

30:45 Conclusion: The Key to Exceeding Expectations in Occupational Medicine

Thanks for tuning in to the Fit for Duty Podcast. Please help us by liking, rating, and subscribing to the channel. It really helps others find this show and benefit from its content. See you on the next one!

Check out the video version of the podcast at - https://www.youtube.com/@naohp-occhealth

Customer Service Course: Here

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Occupational Medicine for Providers - Click here

Navigating the Complexities of Delayed Recovery in Occupational Health: A Conversation with Dr. Diana Kraemer

In this episode of the Fit for Duty podcast, the host Dr. Larry Earl, President of the National Association of Occupational Health Professionals, discusses the concept of delayed recovery in occupational health with guest Dr. Diana Kraemer of iaime.org.

Dr. Diana Kraemer, an occupational medicine expert, neurosurgeon, and the President of the International Academy of Independent Medical Evaluators, shares her insights on the intricate layers of delayed recovery, addressing risk factors in workers' comp cases, utilizing the biopsychosocial approach over the limited biomedical model, and talking about medically unexplained physical symptoms.

She also highlights methods to optimize recovery processes, reduce unnecessary disability risk, and the systemic barriers in healthcare and workers' comp systems. Consideration is given to the importance of education, appropriate care referral, and the significant role of industry engagement for effective approaches.

Key Conversation Points:

00:06 Introduction to Fit for Duty Podcast

00:59 Understanding Delayed Recovery in Occupational Health

01:42 Guest Introduction: Dr. Diana Kraemer

02:58 Decoding Delayed Recovery: A Conversation with Dr. Diana Kraemer

03:20 Understanding DFRUD: Delayed and Failed Recovery, and Unnecessary Disability

04:57 The Impact of Delayed Recovery on Patient's Treatment

09:59 The Difference Between Impairment and Disability

13:31 The Biopsychosocial Model of Recovery

18:50 Strategies and Interventions for Biopsychosocial Aspects of Recovery

22:26 Special Offer from the International Academy of Independent Medical Evaluators

22:49 Integrating Biopsychosocial Model Aspects into Clinical Practice

25:39 The Importance of Movement in Injury Recovery

26:43 Addressing Migraines and Headaches in the Workplace

27:25 The Role of Sleep, Diet, and Nutraceuticals in Health

29:33 Understanding Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms

33:46 The Impact of Imaging Studies on Patient Perception

37:00 Addressing Systemic Barriers in Healthcare

41:32 Raising Awareness and Encouraging Cultural Shifts in Medical Settings

45:43 Closing Remarks and Future Discussions

Thanks for tuning in to the Fit for Duty Podcast. Please help us by liking, rating, and subscribing to the channel. It really helps others find this show and benefit from its content. See you on the next one!

Check out the video version of the podcast at - https://www.youtube.com/@naohp-occhealth

PROMOTION: “Never-A-Member” first year Dues for IAIME at half price, $247.50 instead of $495. New Members receive our Core Competencies Study Guide, our Report Writing Handbook, and our 3-hour video course, “Introduction to IMEs.

https://iaime.org/become-a-member-2/

Hill Criteria Article: Fedak KM, Bernal A, Capshaw ZA, Gross S. Applying the Bradford Hill criteria in the 21st century: how data integration has changed causal inference in molecular epidemiology. Emerg Themes Epidemiol. 2015 Sep 30;12:14. doi: 10.1186/s12982-015-0037-4. PMID: 26425136; PMCID: PMC4589117. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4589117/

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