Use of the Psychomotor Vigilance Test in Fitness for Work Assessments. Issue 8 (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lerman, Steven; Mollicone, Daniel; Coats, Sara
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 59:Issue 8(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: The objective of the pilot program was to evaluate the utility of the psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) in aiding clinicians in making fitness for work determinations. Methods: A 10-minute PVT was incorporated into fitness for work examinations by occupational health staff at two integrated refining/petrochemical plants. Based on all evidence from the clinical examination, including PVT results, clinicians made their fitness for work determination. Results: Employees who were determined to be fit for work had significantly fewer PVT errors than did employees determined to be unfit for work or fit for work with limitations, with t (98) = −14.71, P < 0.001. Conclusions: The pilot assessed a new application of the PVT as an adjunct to occupational health evaluations focused on determining fitness for work. Results demonstrated that the PVT can be a valuable tool for this purpose.