Occupational medicine is consistently rated as a low burn out medical specialty. So how does one break into this promised land? The two predominant ways are through residency training programs and the mid career transition which is often a process of on-the-job-training. While there has been a decline in training programs over time and residency funding has admittedly not kept pace with other residency programs occupational medicine training programs remain accessible.
Another way many physicians get exposed to occupational medicine is through the military. Military physicians work in a hierarchy that mirrors corporate culture and are asked to lead in ways many physicians are never exposed to over the course of their entire career. Military physicians like flight surgeons get very competent in fitness for duty, human factors, pre-employment screening federally regulated drug testing.
While residency training or a military career can jump start a career, every occupational medicine physician has learned from experience as well. As physicians, we are all as unique as the industries and companies we serve. Oftentimes we draw upon our non-medical training, other career experience and the scientific method to guide our thinking.
If it all feels very intimidating or the next step into occupational medicine still seems unclear, definitely reach out through the contact links or find a local occupational medicine residency program. It is after all a small community of physicians looking to succeed by supporting each other and growing the field.
For more information on the depth and breadth of opportunities check out: https://aoec.org/oem/profiles-in-oem/