{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,10]],"date-time":"2026-03-10T11:39:34Z","timestamp":1773142774285,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"Oxford University Press (OUP)","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,29]],"date-time":"2025-12-29T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1766966400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan: Research Grant for Promotion of Occupational Health"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,6]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objectives<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study examined the support provided by occupational physicians (OPs) in Japan to employees with long COVID, a condition that significantly affected workforce health during the pandemic.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>An exploratory cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed, consisting of qualitative interviews followed by a questionnaire survey targeting OPs certified by the Japan Society for Occupational Health. The interviews explored actual experiences of supporting workers with long COVID, and the findings were used to develop the questionnaire. The survey and interview findings were integrated to describe overall occupational health (OH) practices.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Twenty OPs reported 30 cases of employees with long COVID in the interviews. Based on these findings, a questionnaire survey was conducted, yielding 182 valid responses. The integrated results showed that OPs most frequently reported \u201cMain OH responses\u201d such as active listening, return-to-work assistance, and lifestyle guidance. Measures such as explaining workers\u2019 compensation applications and preparing lists of outpatient clinics were less frequently reported. For \u201cAdvice for employers,\u201d limitation of overtime, reduction of workload, and telework were commonly reported, whereas demotion and reassignment were rarely reported.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study clarified how OPs in Japan supported workers with long COVID through diverse, context-dependent practices. The identified main OH responses and advice for employers provide a framework for understanding current practices. Developing practical case examples, structured assessment tools, and workplace guidelines, together with further research grounded in real-world practice, will enhance OPs\u2019 ability to provide appropriate support and strengthen preparedness for future health crises.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1093\/joccuh\/uiaf078","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,29]],"date-time":"2025-12-29T08:28:54Z","timestamp":1766996934000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Occupational physicians\u2019 practices in supporting employees with long COVID: a mixed-methods study"],"prefix":"10.1093","volume":"68","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7581-2968","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Yu","family":"Igarashi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Occupational Health Training Center, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan , Fukuoka ,","place":["Japan"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Seiichiro","family":"Tateishi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Disaster Occupational Health Center, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan , Fukuoka ,","place":["Japan"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Tomoko","family":"Sawajima","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Tokyo Health Care Office, Health Care Center, Central Japan Railway Company , Tokyo ,","place":["Japan"]},{"name":"Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan , Fukuoka ,","place":["Japan"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Arisa","family":"Harada","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan , Fukuoka ,","place":["Japan"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Juri","family":"Matsuoka","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan , Fukuoka ,","place":["Japan"]},{"name":"Global Headquarters, HOYA Corporation , Tokyo ,","place":["Japan"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Mika","family":"Kawasumi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan , Fukuoka ,","place":["Japan"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8821-4438","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Koji","family":"Mori","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan , Fukuoka ,","place":["Japan"]}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"286","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,29]]},"reference":[{"issue":"3","key":"2026030916512298100_ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"133","DOI":"10.1038\/s41579-022-00846-2","article-title":"Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations","volume":"21","author":"Davis","year":"2023","journal-title":"Nat Rev Microbiol"},{"key":"2026030916512298100_ref2","author":"European Agency for Safety and Health at 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