The role of health professional at worksite health services in South Africa.

The goal of this study was to describe the roles of health care professionals at small and large worksites in South Africa and to compare them with those of similar professionals in other countries. Questionnaires were mailed to 981 individuals listed as responsible for worksites. Respondents were asked to record number of employees at the worksite and indicate what proportion of time was spent by registered nurses and medical practitioners on each of the specified duties. Medical practitioners spent much less time at worksite health services than nurses. Nurses in small worksites worked a 33.6 hour week, while nurses in large worksites worked a 45.4 hour week. Nurses spent more time on administration, particularly in small worksites. This study showed that the nurse may be better suited to the role of administrator of the worksite health service in South Africa because of the longer work week and greater employee contact than the medical practitioner.