Contemporary Preventive Care of Adolescents from the Aspect of Occupational Medicine

Overview

The paper deals with the working conditions of adolescents in particular apprentices and shortcomings andpreventive medical care of these young people according to contemporary legislation. The work is based on resultsimplemented by the hygiene service on request of the chief hygiene officer of the Czech Republic. Occupationalmedical care of adolescents having vocational training is at present very frequently inadequate as regards extentand standard. If it is provided at all, it is reduced to preventive medical examinations. These are moreover oflimited value if adolescents are involved who are training for an occupation where exposure to noxious factorsforms an integral part. The character of these examinations is often set and the conclusions are formulated withoutthe doctor knowing the working conditions and working risks of these occupations in actual workplaces. A solutionof the problem is adoption of appropriate legislation and aimed postgraduate training.

Key words:
preventive care, apprentices