Dr Laura Elena Tepelus is the first DHA-licensed Occupational Medicine Specialist in the country, a title she has held since January 2005.
With over 20 years of extensive experience in Occupational Medicine, Family Medicine, and General Medicine, Dr. Laura also holds a Master’s in Clinical and Occupational Toxicology. She has been an offshore OEUK (formerly OGUK/UKOOA) certified Doctor since 2011, certified to conduct Norwegian Offshore Medicals since 2014, and approved as a Bermuda Seafarer’s Medical provider since 2018. Additionally, Dr. Laura completed the Aviation Medicine Postgraduate Course in 2012 and is authorized by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to conduct MCA ENG medicals at Medi Sense Clinic, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Driven by her passion for patient health and safety, Dr. Laura is dedicated to delivering high-quality care and meeting industry standards with exceptional efficiency.
Since 2021, Dr. Laura has been the founding member and Managing Director of Medi Sense Clinic in Dubai.
Your health is your most valuable asset; maintaining it should be a top priority. One essential step in this process is completing your annual health check-ups at regular intervals.
Combining your annual health check-ups with the medical evaluations required for compliance with the health and safety requirements of your Company is a strategic approach that offers numerous benefits. This integration not only streamlines the process but also enhances the effectiveness of health monitoring and ensures comprehensive wellbeing. Your body functions as a unified whole, with no separation between its parts or activities, whether at home or work. Therefore, everything you do throughout the day can influence your overall health. It is essential to address every aspect of your daily routine to accurately identify and mitigate potential health risks.
Here’s why it’s so important to merge your personal health monitoring along with your occupational periodical medicals, tailored in line with your work exposure to different risk factors, from physical, to psychological possible agents.
Early Detection of Health Issues:
One of the primary reasons for having an annual health checkup is the early detection of potential health problems. Regular checkups can uncover issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or other conditions before they become serious.
Merging your annual check-up with regulatory medical evaluations ensures a thorough assessment of your health. This comprehensive approach allows for a more detailed examination, covering both general health and specific occupational health risks. It ensures that no aspect of your health is overlooked, providing a complete picture of your physical and mental wellbeing.
Occupational Medicine Doctors are experts in identifying health risks that are specific to your work environment. For instance, if you work with hazardous materials, they are trained to look for early signs of exposure-related illnesses. Early detection means that treatments can be started sooner, often leading to better outcomes and preventing minor issues from becoming major health crises.
At the same time, Occupational Medicine Doctors, as Specialists, bring with them a foundation in general medical practice. They also prioritize the prevention of medical diseases and the early identification of potential conditions, aiming to prevent complications that can arise from unmanaged health issues.
Customized Health Advice:
Every job comes with its own set of health risks, whether they involve physical strain, chemical exposure, or high-stress levels. An Occupational Medicine Doctor can link your medical complaints or clinical findings to both your general lifestyle and the specific risks you face at work.
This comprehensive approach allows them to offer advice that is tailored to your unique circumstances. They understand the demands of different occupations and can offer practical strategies to mitigate health risks.
For instance, they might recommend specific exercises to prevent repetitive strain injuries for someone who spends all day working on a computer, or suggest protective measures for those in more hazardous environments. They can also advise on lifestyle changes that are both aligned with your health needs and practical for the type of work you do daily. This personalized advice ensures that you receive the most relevant health recommendations, helping you stay healthy and safe not only at work but throughout the rest of your life as well.
Ensuring Fitness for Duty:
Ensuring that you are fit for your job is another crucial aspect of annual health check-ups. These check-ups can verify that you are physically and mentally capable of handling your job’s demands. This proactive approach benefits individuals by providing peace of mind and optimal performance and supports employers by enhancing safety, compliance, and productivity.
Knowing that you are fit for duty not only provides peace of mind but also helps maintain a safe working environment for you and your colleagues. It ensures that you can perform your tasks effectively without putting yourself or others at risk.
By prioritizing fitness-for-duty evaluations, you contribute to a safer, more effective, and more productive work environment. Don’t overlook the importance of these assessments – they are key to your health and success in your professional role.
Compliance with Health and Safety Regulations:
Many workplaces have stringent health and safety policies designed to align with local and international occupational standards and regulations, often requiring regular health checkups for employees exposed to health risk factors. These policies are intended to protect both employees and employers.
By completing your annual checkup, you not only safeguard your health but also ensure compliance with these regulations, helping to prevent potential legal issues and financial penalties.
This compliance demonstrates your commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and can enhance your professional reputation.
Employers benefit as well by minimizing the risk of workplace accidents and illnesses, leading to increased productivity and lower costs associated with absenteeism and workers’ compensation claims.
Promoting Overall Wellbeing:
Beyond regulatory compliance and workplace safety, regular health check-ups with an Occupational Medicine Doctor can significantly enhance your overall wellbeing.
These check-ups offer a valuable opportunity to discuss any health concerns or questions with a knowledgeable healthcare professional who understands both your overall health and the specific demands of your work life, which accounts for more than 8-9 hours of your awake time each day.
Whether you’re dealing with stress, seeking advice on a healthy diet, or looking for ways to improve your work-life balance, these professionals can provide guidance and support tailored to your needs.
This proactive and comprehensive approach to health can result in better health outcomes, increased energy levels, and an overall higher quality of life.
In conclusion, scheduling and completing your annual health check-up with an Occupational Medicine Specialist is essential for maintaining your health and wellbeing at the higher standards. Thus, merging this check-up with medical evaluations for compliance with health and safety regulations is a strategic and advantageous approach.
Together, these actions provide comprehensive health monitoring, early detection and prevention of health issues, efficiency and convenience, enhanced compliance, customized health recommendations, improved employee wellbeing, and confirmation of fitness for your job. This integrated approach ensures adherence to health and safety regulations while promoting overall wellbeing and more effective health tracking.
Don’t wait – prioritize your health and schedule your check-up today. Your health and your career are worth it!
Remember, prevention is better than cure.
Take proactive steps to achieve a healthier, safer, and more productive work environment!
To schedule an appointment with Occupational Medicine Specialist at Medi Sense Clinic, kindly call at 0097143809803, ext. 1021/1023 or email at coordinators@medisesnseclinic.com
REFERENCES:
- Corporate Wellness Magazine: “The Importance of Regular Health Check-Ups for Employees” (Corp Wellness Mag)
- World Health Organization: “Protecting Workers’ Health” (World Health Organization (WHO))
- Truworth Wellness: “The Importance of Employee Health Screenings at Workplace” (Truworth Wellness)
- People Development Magazine: “The Importance of Regular Health
- Images from ChatGPT image generator and Magic studio, Canva