Occupational medicine physicians in the United States: Demographics and core competencies

Objective: We assessed the demographic profile and opinions of current occupational medicine (OM) physicians on the importance of specific core competencies. Methods: A random sample of 1500 OM physicians listed in the membership directory of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) were asked to complete a voluntary survey. Results: Six hundred and ten OM physicians completed the survey. Fifty two percent worked in clinical settings, and 16% worked in corporate or industrial settings. Eighty percent were satisfied with their choice of careers. Conclusions: OM physicians appeared to be highly trained, with 60% certified in OM and 68% board certified in other specialties. The OM physicians valued staying current in the field, understanding the relationship between occupational exposure and health, and communicating with stakeholders most highly. Occupational physicians are an important source of knowledge regarding what competencies and core knowledge areas are important for OM practice.