New Leader of Radio Medico
In the autumn of 2011 NCMM advertised a position as leader of the Norwegian Radio Medico. This is a new position established in conjunction with the re-organising of Radio Medico under NCMM at the Department of occupational medicine, Haukeland University Hospital.There were two applicants to the position. After assessment of qualifications and interviews, Agnar Tveten was employed from February 1st 2012.
25th Course in Basic Maritime Medicine
The first 18 courses in basic maritime medicine were arranged at the main naval base in Norway- Haakonsvern. In 2008 the responsibility for the course was transferred to the Norwegian centre for maritime medicine and the 25th course was successfully arranged at Radisson Blue Hotel Norge 14th to 18th of November 2011.
There were 41 participants and 16 lecturers.
Maritime health - an International Challenge
The 11th International Symposium on Maritime Health - ISMH 11
Odessa, Ukraine, 6.th-10th September 2011
You should consider going to Odessa this September! The 11th International Symposium on Maritime Health, which is a bi-annual event, will be arranged with a scientific program that will cover important problems in reasearch, education and service in the field of maritime medicine. The topics will be ocvered in plenary and parallell sessions, as well as in workshops. The event is an important tool for scientific research, promotion of development of quality international medical service and systems in the maritime sector, and for international coordination of maritime health initiatives.
The NCMM Sea Pilot Project
A study on Norwegian sea pilots life quality and safety at work funded by the Norwegian Coastal Administration has been underway for some time at NCMM.. under the leadership of Arne Ulven and Bente Moen.
Comprehensive questionnaires focusing mainly on safety and safety culture have been sent to 294 pilots and their spouses. The response has been satisfactory with a response rate of 70 per cent.
Towards a general consensus on medical standards?
Guidelines for the medical examination of seafarers differ considerably among seafaring nations. Some nations follow the guidelines recommended by the authorities (ILO,IMO), others have composed their own.
A harmonization of these guidelines among seafaring nations has long been the objective of professionals within maritime medicine and a good deal of effort has been made to draw up a new set of guidelines that will enable medical examiners to reliably select seafarers with the safety of the vessels and their crew as the main objective. A natural goal would be to encourage all seafaring nations to adopt the guidelines, something that would enhance the quality of the selection process and make the validity of the medical certificate universal.
Radio Medico Norway reorganized
Staff of Radio Medico Norway. From left to right: Alf Magne Horneland, Arne Johan Ulven, Erik Florvaag, Alfred Halstensen, Kjell Gisholt.
Prelude
The history of Radio Medico Norway goes back to the forties in the previous century. Until the end of 2010 the service was rendered on a voluntary basis by 4 independent highly qualified physicians who organized themselves. The service was completely mobile and the communication was based on mobile phones only. The doctors were paid on invoice by the National Health Insurance. Even if the service rendered by the group was considered excellent, the group had no budget, no possibility for continuous education or recruitment, not a modern filing system, and no quality control mechanisms.
