What Is Occupational Medicine?
Occupational medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on the health and safety of workers in the workplace. Occupational medicine physicians specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating work-related injuries, illnesses, and disabilities. They work closely with employers, employees, and regulatory agencies to ensure that workplaces are safe and healthy.
Occupational medicine physicians may be involved in a variety of tasks, including conducting health assessments and physical exams of workers, managing workplace injuries and illnesses, developing and implementing workplace safety programs, and advising employers on compliance with regulatory requirements.
Some examples of conditions that occupational medicine physicians may treat include repetitive stress injuries, hearing loss, respiratory diseases, skin disorders, and mental health conditions such as stress and depression.
Occupational medicine physicians may work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, government agencies, and private companies. They may also work as consultants to provide advice and expertise on occupational health and safety issues. To become an occupational medicine physician, one must first complete medical school and a residency in occupational medicine, followed by certification in the field.