Residents are required, on a rotational basis, to take DPIC call. This entails addressing questions from the Cincinnati DPIC (558-5111) having to do with occupational or environmental issues. It enables residents to gain experience in handling telephone inquiries from varied sources covering a wide spectrum of problems and concerns. Dr. Ross provides direct supervision to residents when engaged in this experience and personally reviews the record of every contact through the DPIC. The call usually lasts for two weeks, as scheduled by the Chief Resident. The digital DPIC beeper number is (971-2694) , and the range of this beeper is approximately the area bounded by a 60 mile radius from downtown Cincinnati.. If the DPIC resident is unable to respond to calls for a short period of time, arrangements can be made with other Occupational Medicine residents to carry the beeper temporarily. 

The DPIC personnel will screen the incoming calls, and they handle the majority of calls themselves. Subsequently, the calls residents get may be somewhat difficult. Questions may come from patients, employers, physicians, other poison centers, or a state health department. If the caller is outside the local area, DPIC will set up a conference call upon request.

When residents get a call, they should get as much information as they can from the DPIC operator. This information should be recorded on the DPIC Consultation forms located in the residents' room in Kettering. If, after talking to the caller, the answer to the question is not obvious, residents can do some research, and phone the caller back later with a plan of action. For informational aids, residents can consult the books in the residents’ room, all the U.C. library resources, the books available at the DPIC, certain sources on the Internet, and last but not least, U.C. faculty members. If the person needs to be evaluated or treated immediately, refer them to their nearest emergency room. If the problem is occupational or environmental and not urgent, residents can ask the caller to make an appointment at the COH for further evaluation. RESIDENTS SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT GIVING SPECIFIC TREATMENT ADVICE OVER THE PHONE, ESPECIALLY TO NON-MEDICAL PERSONNEL. General suggestions are usually wiser. Residents should record assessment, recommendations, contact, and references on the DPIC consultation form and return the forms  to Dr. Ross for his review. It is also good practice to call the DPIC contact person to let them know the disposition of the case.

The resident on DPIC call is the primary back-up person in the event that the ICWUC resident or any other resident on a clinical rotation that must be covered is unable to perform their duties. The DPIC resident is also responsible for any occupational medicine consults that are requested at the University Hospital and for other incidental projects with which the residency is contracted to provide medical examinations.

All residents regularly perform history and physical exams on participants at the ICWUC (621-8882). These limited exams are a medical screening for union members engaged in a hazardous materials training workshop. The workshop participants will each be using self-contained breathing apparatus and fully encapsulated suits. The screenings take place on certain Mondays, usually starting at 8:30 am. Approximately 20-25 people are seen and the process takes 3-4 hours to complete. Union headquarters are located in the building at 329 Race street (near the corner of 4^th and Race Streets) in downtown Cincinnati. Enter the Race Street entrance of the building under the green awning and go down the stairs. Use the valet parking garage immediately south (towards the river) of the ICWUC on Race street. It will cost about $5.00 for four hours. The parking lot receipt is reimbursable from the residents’ fund at the end of the year.

The medical history forms should be filled out by the workshop participants prior to the examination. These forms are reviewed by the resident, and then an examination of the heart, lungs, back, etc. is performed along with a pulse and blood pressure check. Therefore, the only equipment the residents need to bring is a stethoscope. A binder is located in the medical screening room that contains the necessary forms, and some guidelines for this examination. The purpose of this examination is to assess if the individual is medically qualified for the purposes of the course ONLY. Any medical restrictions should be recorded on the participant’s exam form, and on the summary form given to the ICWUC staff. The medical clearance given does not imply fitness to perform any duties back at their regular job, and this point should be stressed to the participant. If any medical condition is detected that should be reported to the participant’s family physician, then the resident should complete the form intended for this purpose (copies are in the ICWUC binder). All completed history and physical examination forms as well as copies of any notes to private doctors should be stored in the Residents Office.

If the resident assigned to the ICWUC has a schedule conflict, he/she should either: 1) switch dates with another resident, or 2) ask the ICWUC if the physicals can be performed in the afternoon. If these two strategies are not successful, or if an emergency prevents the assigned resident from performing the ICWUC physicals, then the honor falls to the DPIC resident (beeper: 971-2694).

This conference is held on General Occupational Medicine Clinic days in the conference room over the lunch hour. It is a clinical case conference conducted by Dr. Donovan and/or Dr. Middaugh. Faculty and residents present clinical cases for discussion. This is a required conference for the residents during the General Occupational Health Clinic rotation and is highly recommended for all others.

This conference addresses issues in occupational medicine of special interest to the residents, especially topics not addressed specifically in other experiences. The conference is held during the fall, winter, and spring academic quarters.  The Resident's Conference is distinct from the Journal Club.

Journal Club ( Day of the week varies by quarter)-

This conference is held on a monthly basis.  It is required for residents and is attended by core faculty and other faculty and local occupational medicine phyisicans.  Residents present and discuss articles pertinent to occupational and environmental health.

Residents' Research Conference ( Day of the week varies by quarter)-

This conference, led by Dr. Lockey in conjunction with Dr. Ross, is required for residents and is held monthly. Each resident reviews progress on his/her thesis project and receives faculty feedback.

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