Seriously underdiagnosed safety issue?
From todays 'The Australian' Newspaper...
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nat...6565034483
The problem with getting HCV drivers to self-report is that there is no support for them while they are in the initial stages of diagnosis and treatment. To put ones hand up for OSA is to effectively lose ones income.
RE: Seriously underdiagnosed safety issue?
Yep, it's a Catch-22. If I were a professional driver in that situation and I thought I had OSA, I'd try to obtain a used data-recording auto-CPAP and self-treat, rather than "go through the system" and risk losing my income stream.
It's the
unintended consequences of poorly-thought-out regulations, once again.
SuperSleeper
Apnea Board Administrator
www.ApneaBoard.com
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
RE: Seriously underdiagnosed safety issue?
This is really unfair. Unless you have private disability insurance, or insurance though your work, you are in a bad place. I wish there was more support for these drivers to insure all our safety. This kind of situation is why I always buy disability insurance on a job. I am a serious manic depressive (don't think the term bipolar describes the illness) and can miss work or more rare end up in the hospital. Unfortunately I don't think relief will come soon.