Session 2 Panel Discussion

1
Session 2 - Panel Discussion

• Q. What is anthrotherapist?
• A Cross cultural expertise and mindset
• Q. Do you do acclimatisation before shift workers
  start? Is this a good thing?
• A If worker has enough sleep, will get used to
  shift. e.g. in work places with permanent night
  shifts.
• Q. What is the value of psychometric testing, and
  relevance in Oman?
• Mathematical models have poor predictability.
  Different answers from different cultures.
• Q. Social factors have changed over last 20 years
  erosion of social fabric. Impact on stress?
• A. Youth culture. Dominated by young generation
  questing.

2
Session 2 - Panel Discussion

• Q. Local rehab opportunities in Region?
• A. Not yet found occupational and/or rehab
  organisation in UAE
• Q Pre-employment examination of shift worker -
  what criteria to reject them?
• A e.g. diabetes, sleep disorders. Can look at
  varying shiftwork make shift fit medical
  condition.
• Q Acceptability of females in shiftwork?
• A No reason to discriminate. Previously
  legislation prevented this. Locally, apart from
  hospitals, industry opposed to using women at
  night. Legal prevention.
• Q Over-work What is your recommendation for
  someone working 2 shifts/jobs?
• A Two issues shift work and extended hours. In
  UK would contravene legislation. Self-employed
  are difficult to enforce.

3
Session 2 - Panel Discussion

• Q Alternative therapies e.g. Chiro, acupuncture
  and impact on OH?
• A If proven by good scientific controls OK.
  Others might appear to work through
  psycho-social results might give miserable
  results. More comfortable with conventional
  psychologist if well trained. Evidence that some
  alternative therapies do have benefit, eg
  muscular. EG chiropractor
• Q Shiftwork duration recommendation or
  legislation link to retirement age, or change
  to another environment?
• A No specific guidelines on how many years
  shiftwork. Linked to eg sleep patterns. Depends
  on family/social. Look at heart disease look at
  possible mechanisms. Intervene and try to control.

4
Session 2 - Panel Discussion

• Q. Concern at compensation for mental disability
  disputed by insurers. Dispute mental. How to
  quantify cost?
• In PDO, individual diagnosis assessed by
  specialist, and evaluate state of health. If
  unfit to continue duties. Includes self-inflicted
  e.g. alcohol/drugs.
• Needs to be treated like any other illness.
  Based on signed agreement. No discrimination on
  illness type