A Modern Guide to Occupational Health Consultations

This practical and authoritative book provides occupational health practitioners (OHPs) with guidance on using the biopsychosocial (BPS) model to assess fitness to work, with a clear focus on strengthening psychosocial assessment through the cognitive behavioural approach (CBA). The CBA is a formulation-based method that helps practitioners understand how cognitive, behavioural and emotional responses interact with health conditions and the work context within the BPS framework. While the BPS model offers a way to consider biological, psychological and social factors, psychosocial elements are often the most difficult to assess clearly in occupational health consultations. The CBA provides a systematic approach to exploring these factors, supporting the identification of maintaining influences on prolonged absence, ongoing workplace difficulties or impaired functioning. The book explains how the CBA integrates with core occupational health assessment skills to inform evidence-based recommendations for fitness to work. It also introduces brief cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) skills as focused interventions. Fully referenced throughout and featuring case studies to illustrate the approach in action, this is essential reading for any OHP working today, as well as students training towards the profession.