An De Roeck is the new Medical Director of Mensura
On 1 December 2022, An De Roeck took over the torch from Marie-Noëlle Schmickler as Medical Director at Mensura. The two women share an approach and vision. “I want to help our department grow to do even more data-driven and service-oriented medical monitoring.”
Can you briefly outline your career path?
An De Roeck: “I started working as an occupational physician at Mensura in 2019. Since then, I have guided a number of large clients in the Antwerp region, such as Lanxess NV and Alcon Laboratories, in their prevention policies. Before that, I worked at ExxonMobil, where I helped build the Contractor Clinic. That was immediately the first time I came into contact with Health & Safety, a fascinating subject in which I wanted to delve further. Before that, I worked as a surgeon and emergency physician.”
How do you view the preventive sector?
“Healthcare is a big cost to our society. The preventive sector is crucial to reduce the pressure on curative care, but too little time and resources go into that today.”
“Preventive and curative healthcare go hand in hand. Therefore, we should also encourage and facilitate closer cooperation between the two sectors. For example, giving occupational physicians easier access to employees’ medical records so they can consult with GPs or specialists. That way, we can protect employees’ well-being even better.”
What are the challenges and opportunities in medical monitoring?
“The prevailing medical monitoring is currently undergoing a critical review within the preventive health sector. The rules and operation of these as described in the codex are becoming increasingly inadequate in today’s society. Only specific professional groups are currently required to have periodic medical examinations. At the same time, burnout and ergonomic complaints mainly occur in employees who are not subject to periodic check-ups. And what about self-employed or platform employees? Do they not then have a right to prevention and protection?”
“The current annual or biennial examination is purely statutory and does not take into account the needs of the employee. The occupational physician must have more flexibility to determine periodicity depending on the employee’s health situation and needs.”
“In addition, we want to take an even more multidisciplinary approach to organisations. Ergonomists, psychologists, industrial hygienists, and occupational safety prevention advisers could also be given a more prominent role in medical monitoring in addition to nurses and occupational physicians.”
Which issues do you prioritise?
“The number of employees with a long-term illness is higher than ever. Therefore, my priority is to support organisations in a collective absence policy, which goes wider than mere reintegration. I would also like to help build a bridge between the preventive and curative sectors.”
