The Health Experiences of Long-haul Truck Drivers and their Relationship with their Primary Care Provider
Abstract
Long-haul truck drivers in North America experience greater health risks than people employed in other occupations. The magnitude of their health risks is directly associated with crash risk which has implications for public road safety. The health experiences of long-haul truck drivers residing in Ontario, Canada and their relationship with their primary care provider were explored using a phenomenological approach. Themes of perseverance, isolation, dehumanization and living in a hidden, separate world emerged from the analysis. Focus groups were held where family physicians and nurse practitioners were asked for their responses to these findings and for their experiences caring for long-haul truck driver patients. Integration of these two studies revealed barriers to receiving and providing primary care including the fitness to drive examination and the long-haul truck driver context. Continuous exposure to an unhealthy work environment and inadequate access to primary care suggests long-haul truck drivers are a vulnerable population.