What is good to know before I undergo a medical examination for work (worker perspective)?

Before you go for a preventive health check-up for work, it is crucial to know the procedure, required documents and preparation to ensure a smooth examination. The said examination, organized by the employer in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, serves to assess your medical ability to safely perform certain work tasks. In this article, we will break down in detail all aspects of the procedure – from administrative requirements to clinical examinations – so that you, as an employee, can participate effectively in this process.

Preparing for a medical examination

#Employer role and referral

The employer is legally obliged to refer an employee for a preventive health examination in the following situations ( link to another blog ). Before the examination, the employer fills out a referral form for examination, which contains information about the workplace, specific risks and stresses at the workplace, and arranges an examination date with the occupational medicine provider.

# Instructions for the worker

• Documents and accessories

  You must present a valid ID and health card at the time of the examination. If you use corrective glasses, contact lenses or hearing aids, be sure to bring them with you. You must also ensure that your personal doctor sends your health card to the clinic in a timely manner. If you have a decision from the ZPIZ disability commission, please bring it for the examination.

• Eating regimen

  During the examination, you will generally also undergo laboratory tests. This means that you will have the examination on an "fasting" basis, meaning you will not eat for at least 8 hours before the examination. If your health condition does not allow this (e.g. diabetes), please consult the clinic staff for additional instructions before the examination.

Medical examination procedure

1. Reception

   Upon admission to the clinic, the staff will ask you to present your personal document and complete a health questionnaire. This includes information about past illnesses, allergies, treatments, work history, and family history.

2. Doctor's check-up

   The occupational medicine specialist will then conduct a thorough interview, paying particular attention to the working conditions and potential risks at your workplace. He or she will also conduct a clinical assessment.

3. Anthropometric measurements

   The nurse performs measurements (height, weight and calculation of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, orientation hearing test, etc.).

4. Vision tests

   Vision testing is performed on special equipment (distance vision, near vision and computer distance vision, depth and color vision, and other special tests).

5. Spirometry and ECG

   Spirometry is used to determine the state of lung function. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to assess the heart rhythm and detect possible cardiovascular anomalies.

6. Laboratory tests

   Laboratory samples (venous blood and urine) are taken. The desired laboratory tests are performed in a certified laboratory, depending on the workload at the workplace.

7. Other investigations

   Depending on the workload and health requirements at a particular workplace, we also perform other special tests .

Procedures after the medical examination

#Medical certificate and report

After the examinations, you will receive a medical report containing all clinical data and an assessment of your medical capacity. The employer will only receive a medical certificate without your medical information, which ensures the protection of your privacy. Both documents are sent in encrypted form to the specified email address upon authorization, which ensures the security of personal data.

Right to appeal

If you disagree with the assessment of your ability to work, you have the option of filing a complaint with the Special Health Commission at the Ministry of Health, which is based at the Clinical Institute of Occupational, Transport and Sports Medicine (UKC Ljubljana). The procedure is described in more detail HERE .