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What is Occupational Medicine?

While 40 may be the standard number of hours in the conventional work week, in today’s fast-paced, intensely competitive society, many workers end up putting in upwards of 70 hours or more. But how is all of this working impacting their health and wellness, and what adjustments can be made to maintain appropriate standards of health and safety at work? Enter occupational medicine. Here’s a closer look at why occupational medicine matters, along with a guide to careers in this increasingly valued area.

Sep 6, 2023
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What is Occupational Medicine?

While 40 may be the standard number of hours in the conventional work week, in today’s fast-paced, intensely competitive society, many workers end up putting in much more than that. Over the course of a year, this takes a massive toll. Workers all over the world are racking up a serious number of hours, according to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), In Mexico, for example, workers average a staggering 2,246 hours annually. South Korean and Greek workers are in the second and third spots at 2,113 and 2,042 hours, respectively. And then there’s the United States (1,779), Canada (1,691), France (1,482) and Germany (1,371).

All of which begs the question: How are all of these days spend behind desks and in the field impacting the health and wellness of workers, and what adjustments can be made to maintain appropriate standards of health and safety at work? This is where occupational medicine comes in. Falling under the broader discipline of occupational health, this branch of medicine comprises a diverse range of specialties, including everything from orthopedics to psychiatry.

Here’s a closer look at why occupational medicine matters, along with a guide to careers in this vital field.

Why Occupational Medicine Matters

Wondering just how important occupational medicine is? For starters, consider that the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated a global strategy on occupational health for all 25 years ago. The organization asserted that there was an “urgent need to develop occupational health at a time when rapid changes in working life are affecting both the health of workers and the health of the environment in all countries of the world.” At that time, estimates suggested 100 million workers were injured and 200,000 of them died each year in occupational accidents with millions of additional occupational diseases attributable to hazardous exposures and workloads.

Since then, a growing body of evidence underscores the need to make OM a global priority. In the UK, for example, 2.1 million working-age adults have an illness they feel was caused or made worse by work, while 300,000 people stop working due to sickness every year. Meanwhile, a staggering 70 percent of the UK population have no access to occupational health advice and assessment, according to data shared by the UK’s professional and educational body for occupational medicine, the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM).

And the UK is far from alone in being impacted by occupational health issues. John Howard, MD, Director of the US’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recently identified several of the country’s paramount occupational health issues, including everything from oil and gas extraction to black lung disease among underground miners.

The problem is much worse in less developed countries, where rates of occupational and environmental illnesses and injuries are even higher, according to research published in the academic journal Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health. Emerging countries are also plagued by occupational health issues due to their unique characteristics, including high growth rates, large population density, low-cost workers, poor literacy rates, and significant work in the agricultural sector. “These economies bear more than 80 percent of the global burden of occupational disease and injury,” asserts Hital R. Meswani in research published in the Indian Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

In sum, just five to 10 percent of workers in developed countries and 20 to 50 percent of workers in industrialized countries have access to occupational health services. And whereas many countries have identified occupational health as a pressing issue, few have adequate infrastructure to accommodate the necessary changes.

Regardless of location, the main point remains the same. The FOM concludes, “Workplaces are where lots of people spend most of their working age life, meaning workplaces are powerful environments where we can positively influence health for the benefit of individuals, businesses and national prosperity.”

Things to Know Before Pursuing OM Studies

Now we’ve established the need for occupational medicine, here are some other things you should know if you think a career in the field might be right for you.

The benefits of working in occupational medicine include the flexibility to work either part-time or full-time and varied tasks within that role. GP and occupational medicine specialist Dr. Rob Hampton, told Pulse Magazine of what he sees as one of the field’s major selling points, “The pace of work is a welcome relief compared to the 10 minute appointments and rushed visits in primary care. A typical appointment would be for 30-45 minutes and allows time to explore a case in detail. There is certainly the feeling that your opinion is important and holds great value for the person you see and the company they work for. I enjoy the close working relationship with an HR manager that develops and the opportunity to understand a whole new culture in the world of businesses.”

Furthermore, the dynamic landscape of occupational medicine is also a perk. Not only are new threats and solutions always emerging, but so is new legislation.

A shift is also underway for OM professionals toward more connectedness with other healthcare partners. “Occupational health practice has moved from a reactive hazard oriented approach to proactive multidisciplinary teamwork. Occupational physicians work with other professionals such as occupational health nurses, health and safety officers, hygienists, ergonomists, psychologists, and physiotherapists,” says a journal article published in the BMJ.

One of the most telling findings for those considering a career in occupational medicine is that 79 percent of EHS professionals recommend working in this area. One survey respondent said, “Working in safety is a challenging job on many levels, yet the satisfaction of doing your part to make sure your workforce goes home each night to their families [...] who are generally the main, primary, and sole reason why we work, to support our families, including ourselves [...] is rewarding. That internal reward of knowing you did your part brings a great amount of satisfaction.”

Careers in Occupational Medicine

Specializing in occupational medicine as a physician has many upsides, but what if medical school isn’t for you? Because of its multidisciplinary nature, there are several other potential career paths for people interested in working in occupational medicine, including positions for managers, health and safety professionals, occupational hygienists and toxicologists.

Occupational therapists (OTs) are also increasingly in demand. In the US, for example, the projected growth rate for OTs is 24 percent -- much faster than the average across all professions. While OTs don't focus solely on workplace health and safety, they are instrumental in helping people get back to work after an injury. OTs are also essential to devising and promoting accessibility in the workplace. The vocation's wide applicability is just one of the reasons the job landed a spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 “The Best Medical Jobs That Don’t Require Medical School” list. OT also claimed a top 10 spot on CNBC’s roundup of the highest-paying jobs in healthcare.

“The importance of work to an individual’s health and wellbeing is well understood, so the ability to really make a difference to keep someone in work can be very rewarding,” concludes Dr. Hampton.

But you don’t have to take his word for it. According to research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, preventative medicine, including occupational and environmental medicine, boasts the lowest burnout rates and the highest rates of work-life satisfaction of all medical specialties.