Medicine Factory

Factory medicine: What is it?

Factory medicine is a historical term that refers to the field of health and medicine. The term refers to the healthcare system that was created in the Russian Empire in the late 19th century as part of the country's industrialization. At that time, the state, government and industry began to increasingly pay attention to the health and medical services of workers.

A characteristic feature of this system was that medical services were provided at the place of production, i.e. in factories and factories. Health care workers were employed by industries and were expected to serve workers in the workplace as well as their families and relatives. In such conditions, hospitals and medical facilities were absent, and medical care was offered only at the workplace.

One of the main achievements of factory medicine was the development of preventive measures that made it possible to prevent many diseases. Thanks to this, many workers could avoid diseases that previously led to serious consequences. In addition, this system improved health care for the poor and those who could not access formal health care.

However, factory medicine also had some disadvantages. For example, it did not pay enough attention to specialized medical services, such as the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases, which led to high morbidity among workers and their families. Also, doctors, medical administrators, and pharmacists most often belonged to the factories and factories where they worked, and were therefore interested in maintaining the health of workers rather than providing specialized medical care.

Nevertheless, the factory system of medicine was an important stage in the development of healthcare in Russia. It has proven its effectiveness, having a positive impact on the health of workers, the population as a whole and the development of medical sciences. Currently, Russian enterprises are increasingly focusing on international practices in caring for the health of employees.