Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM), previously called industrial medicine,[1][a] is a board certified medical specialty under the American Board of Preventative Medicine that specializes in the prevention and treatment of work-related illnesses and injuries.[2]
OEM physicians are trained in both clinical medicine and public health.[3] They may work in a clinical capacity providing direct patient care to workers through worker's compensation programs or employee health programs and performing medical screening services for employers.[2][3] Corporate medical directors are typically occupational medicine physicians who often have specialized training in the hazards relevant to their industry.[3] OEM physicians are employed by the US military in light of the significant and unique exposures faced by this population of workers.[3] Public health departments, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) commonly employ physicians specialized in occupational medicine.[4] They often advise international bodies, governmental and state agencies, organizations, and trade unions.[5][citation needed]
The specialty of Occupational Medicine rose in prominence following the industrial revolution.[6] Factory workers and laborers in a broad host of emergent industries at the time were becoming profoundly ill and often dying due to work exposures which prompted formal efforts to better understand, recognize, treat and prevent occupational injury and disease.[7]
More recently occupational medicine gained visibility during the COVID-19 Pandemic as spread of the illness was intricately linked to the workplace necessitating dramatic adjustments in workplace health, safety and surveillance practices.[8]
Occupational medicine aims to prevent diseases and promote wellness among workers.[10] Occupational health physicians must:[10]
Have knowledge of potential hazards in the workplace including toxic properties of materials used.
Be able to evaluate employee fitness for work.
Be able to diagnose and treat occupational disease and injury.
Know about rehabilitation methods, health education, and government laws and regulations concerning workplace and environmental health.
Be able to manage health service delivery.
OM can be described as:
work that combines clinical medicine, research, and advocacy for people who need the assistance of health professionals to obtain some measure of justice and health care for illnesses they suffer as a result of companies pursuing the biggest profits they can make, no matter what the effect on workers or the communities they operate in.[11]
^ abLadou, Joseph (2021). Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Occupational and Environmental Medicine (6th ed.). United States of America: McGraw Hill. pp. 1–37. ISBN978-1-260-14343-0.
