Feasibility of a Provincial Voluntary Reporting System for Work-Related Asthma in Ontario. Issue 5 (2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: To, Teresa; Tarlo, Susan M; McLimont, Susan; Haines, Ted; Holness, D Linn; Lougheed, M Diane; Liss, Gary M; Cicutto, Lisa
• Is Part Of: Canadian respiratory journal. Volume 18:Issue 5(2011)
• Page Start: 275
• Page End: 277
• Publication Date: 2011
• Subjects: Occupational diseases -- Physician reporting -- Population surveillance -- Work-related asthma; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiration -- Canada -- Periodicals; Respiration; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Canada; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1155/2011/541680
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1198-2241

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVE The Ontario Work-Related Asthma Surveillance System: Physician Reporting (OWRAS) Network was established in 2007 to estimate the prevalence of work-related asthma (WRA) in Ontario, and to test the feasibility of collecting data for cases of WRA from physicians voluntarily. METHODS: More than 300 respirologists, occupational medicine physicians, allergists and primary care providers in Ontario were invited to participate in monthly reporting of WRA cases by telephone, postal service or e-mail. RESULTS: Since 2007, 49 physicians have registered with the OWRAS Network and, to date, have reported 34 cases of occupational asthma and 49 cases of work-exacerbated asthma. Highly reactive chemicals were the most frequently reported suspected causative agent of the 108 suspected exposures reported. CONCLUSION: Despite the challenge of enlisting a representative sample of physicians in Ontario willing to report, the OWRAS Network has shown that it is feasible to implement a voluntary reporting system for WRA; however, its long-term sustainability is currently unknown.