Caring for Farm Families

An introduction to workplace health and injury concerns, unique risk factors, and things that health professionals can do to assist with prevention, treatment, and consultation. In rural communities, health professionals including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, social workers, and physical therapists are often among the first to see and care for a farm-work injury or work-connected illness. Health professionals are uniquely suited to provide prevention education to family members, parents, workers and employers. They carry with them an “aura of credibility.” This workshop (or potentially, a series of activities), ideally including other community resource people and safety/health advocates, will introduce local health professionals to unique injury and occupational health factors in agriculture including those connected to the “person, agent, and environment” that they must consider holistically in their roles. Events and activities should engage other speakers, experts, farmers, and other community members with direct experience in this area. Depending on audience (size and makeup), location, and connection to a sponsoring agency (such as a clinic, hospital, etc.), appropriate professional development and continuing education support can also be provided