BTMed consists of two steps: a work history interview and a medical screening exam.

 

Step 1. Work history interview.

Prior to the medical screening exam, workers must complete an in-depth occupational history questionnaire and a medical history questionnaire. The interviews are conducted by local outreach coordinators, many of which are former workers with knowledge of DOE sites and the type of exposures at the sites.

The information provided during the interview will help determine the types of substances the workers may have been exposed to while working on a DOE site. When possible, site maps will be provided to help workers recall the specific areas they worked in.

 

Step 2. Medical screening exam.

Following the work history interview, participants will receive a medical screening exam designed to identify work-related health conditions at an early, more treatable stage, often before signs and symptoms occur. The health conditions targeted in the medical screening exams include chronic lung diseases, lung cancer, beryllium-related disorders, hearing loss, and damage to other major organs that may be associated with occupational exposures.

 

The medical screening exam includes a physical examination and may also consist of the following based on the participant’s work and exposure history:

• Chest x-ray with B reading (interpretation for occupational lung disease)
• Pulmonary function test (breathing test)
• Beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) (to detect beryllium sensitization)
• Stool test (fecal occult blood test)
• Audiometry (hearing test)
• Blood chemistry test

In addition to identifying work-related conditions, BTMed also provides some general screening services to assess for common non-occupational health conditions, such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, cardiovascular disease/hypertension, obesity, and chronic kidney dysfunction.

Following the exam, BTMed will provide a written results letter indicating any medical findings and assistance with referrals for follow-up medical care or compensation. BTMed does not provide compensation or pay for follow-up care for participants.

Participation is free, voluntary, and confidential. Rescreen exams are available every three years. Due to the latency period (the time between exposure and the potential onset of the disease) of occupational illnesses, ongoing rescreen exams can improve the detection of occupational disease, which may not show signs or symptoms for decades after exposure.