Occupational medicine practice: One specialty or three?

Philip Harber, Sasha Rose, Johnny Bontemps, Kaochoy Saechao, Yihang Liu, David Elashoff, Samantha Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To characterize education, practice, and skills of occupational physicians and to evaluate subgroups within the profession. Methods: The data for the baseline surveys of the occupational medicine practice research project were collected for a national sample of occupational physicians using paper or on-line instruments. Three subgroups were defined a priori-injury care, clinical specialist, and management/population. Results: Occupational medicine seems to include three distinct subgroups, which differ in characteristics such as patient volume, relevant clinical skills, and income source. Nevertheless, many commonalities were present across all three groups, such as emphasis on communication, OSHA, and workers compensation. Musculoskeletal and workers compensation care were most important, although there were highly significant differences among the three subgroups. Conclusions: Planning for education, certification, and organization of services should acknowledge the distinctions among the three subgroups.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)672-679
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of occupational and environmental medicine
Volume52
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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