Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/97302
Health Tips Big Change Ahead for Truck, Bus Drivers: Mayo Expert Explains New Medical Exam Rule B JOBS for TEAMS ig changes are coming to the medical evaluations required for many commercial driver's license holders, including truckers and bus drivers. Under new federal requirements, the medical examinations will only count if they are performed by a health care provider specially trained and certified to do so. The goal is preventing medical emergency-related truck and bus crashes through what likely will be more intense health exams, says Clayton Cowl, M.D., of Mayo Clinic. "Often, the medical evaluation is the only opportunity for preventive care that a driver will receive," says Dr. Cowl, a physician in Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine at Mayo Clinic who learned how to drive a semi so he could better understand the physical stress truckers face."Granted, it's more regulatory burden on the drivers and their examiners, but I also view this as an opportunity for health care providers to make a difference in their lives. It's their chance to emphasize the importance of preventive health care and get them pointed in the right direction in terms of pursuing healthier lifestyles." Eye strain and chronic stress are two obvious health issues long-haul truck and | 16 JobsForTeams1212_HealthHelp.indd 1 tour bus drivers face, but job-related and performance-affecting medical issues can go far beyond that to include such diverse problems as sleep apnea; diabetes; high blood pressure; obesity; painful, chronic hemorrhoids; and muscular and skeletal strain. Many truck drivers smoke or use other forms of tobacco, putting them at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and lung disease. Yet, for many, the medical exam required at least every two years is the only time they will see a health care professional.The Federal Motor Carrier www.jobsforteams.com 11/1/12 10:52 AM