In this thought-provoking episode of SOM’s Diamond Days podcast series with Amy McKeon & Anna Jones, we sit down with Dr Charlie Vivian, occupational physician of 20+ years and current Chair of the SOM Council in South Wales and the West of England.
Charlie reflects on how occupational medicine has evolved throughout his career, from the early adoption of the biopsychosocial model to today’s rising challenge: a rapidly increasing proportion of the population unable to work due to long-term health conditions. We explore why traditional approaches may no longer be enough — and why occupational health must broaden its focus to include economic hazards and the societal structures that drive ill health and absence from work.
Key Discussion Points
🚀 Charlie’s path to SOM Council Chair & why leadership matters
🧠 The rise and limitations of the **biopsychosocial model** in practice *
📈 The dramatic increase in incapacity benefits since the 1980s — and what it reveals *
🏢 How neoliberal working structures, inequality, low-paid work and job insecurity are impacting workforce health *
🔄 The future role of occupational medicine — from managing absence to influencing national policy *
💡 Why OH must begin addressing **economic determinants of health** *
🩺 Fit notes, self-responsibility, prevention & where the NHS and employers overlap
Charlie leaves us with a powerful cliff-hanger: Are current systems for workplace health fundamentally flawed? And what bold new direction should occupational medicine take?
The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - specialist occupational health software used by a number of SOM members to run every aspect of their occupational health operations. They hold healthcare records for over 1 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.
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15 mins