How Have Personal Computers, the Internet, and Relational Databases Made New Solutions Possible?

 

Problems 

 

Haz-Map Enabled Solutions 

It is difficult to distinguish occupational from non-occupational diseases. 

 

For each disease, show information about hazardous job tasks and related jobs and industries.

It is difficult to distinguish significant from harmless exposures. 

For each chemical, provide information about adverse effects, absorption, half-life in the body, and dose-effect relationships.

 

Information is voluminous and scattered. 

Summarize and organize information into one database.

 

Human memory is limited. 

 

Use the unlimited storage capacity of the computer.

There are so many details; I don’t know where to start to find information. 

Comprehensively classify information; then use the broad outline as a map to “zoom in” on more detailed information.

 

It is difficult to find specific information. 

 

Use categories and indexes. Link related information.

It takes too long to find information. 

 

Use the speed of the computer to sort and query.

Medical students are inadequately trained. 

 

Teach students to use a database of occupational toxicology.

The occupational history has poor positive predictive value--not used because there are so many false positive 

Target high-risk groups for a specific occupational history, and flag patients in high-risk jobs who need surveillance for work-related diseases.

 

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Revised: May 30, 2018

brownjay@haz-map.com

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