Aim: To describe the content and main emphasis of advice given to businesses and their employees by the company physician in cases of patients with functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Methods: The topics covered during consultation are described on the basis of a study of current practices in occupational medicine and in other medical services. Results: The advice given to the employee differs depending on the individual risk of musculoskeletal disorders, and on whether manifest functional disorders with symptoms arising during physical work or severe symptoms which endanger the capacity to work have been diagnosed. All recommendations must take into account the multiplicity of individual physical, occupational and social conditions. Employees should be given not only an explanation of their symptoms but also recommendations for ergonomic changes in their way of working, for changes in life style, physical training and for involvement in health-improvement programs. Particularly necessary is advice as to which of the large choice of health sports and fitness training schemes is appropriate in the individual case. Company physicians should recommend workoriented rehabilitation measures more frequently and support the employee’s applications. To be able to offer the employer advice, the company physician requires increasingly ergonomic competence so that the treatment of the individual can be brought in line with t her equirements of operational success. Conclusions: Occupational-medical care of patients with musculoskeletal problems requires the physician to develop particular skills as health manager. The requirements differ according to the branch of industry and the size of the company involved.
