This course is created by the California Department of Public Health to educate healthcare providers about the emerging epidemic of silicosis among countertop fabrication workers.
This course is designed for general providers, as well as providers who conduct silica medical surveillance examinations or care for patients with silicosis.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, the participant will be able to:
- Describe the potential health effects of respirable crystalline silica exposure.
- Identify patients at risk of silicosis.
- Describe the silica hazards associated with countertop fabrication work and recent cases of silicosis in this industry.
- Summarize medical surveillance requirements for patients exposed to silica and understand their limitations.
- Describe how to diagnose silicosis and identify appropriate clinical actions following a suspected or confirmed silicosis diagnosis.
- Understand the unique vulnerabilities of workers in the countertop fabrication industry, due to factors such as immigration status, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, and develop strategies for addressing these concern in partnership with patients.
CME Disclosure:
ACCME defines a commercial interest as any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. This definition exempts non-profit or government organizations; non-health care related companies; liability and health insurance providers; group medical practices; and for-profit hospitals, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. Per SCERC policy, these potential conflicts of interest have been resolved.
Several presenters are employees of exempt organizations. While there is no conflict of interest in the content of their presentations, to avoid the appearance of promoting a commercial interest, they have removed all references to their companies from their presentations aside from copyright notations and organizational affiliation listing.
All faculty members and Planning Committee members have indicated that they do not have an affiliation with organizations which have interests related to the content of this program.
