The occupational medicine agenda: Routes and standards of specialization in occupational medicine in europe

Background This paper reports on the nature of specialist training in occupational medicine ( OM) in Europe from a survey of representatives from the Occupational Medicine section of the European Union of Medical Specialists/Union Europeenne des Medecins Specialistes (UEMS). Aims To analyse current differences existing in the education and training requirements to become a specialist in OM in UEMS countries. Methods Cross- sectional survey of representatives from 14 European countries. Results While undergraduate training duration varied slightly, there is marked variation in postgraduate training for OM in UEMS countries. The countries surveyed outlined concerns for the funding of training, continuing professional development, research requirements and recruitment to the specialty. Conclusion There is a marked variation in postgraduate training in OM throughout UEMS countries. The variation between postgraduate training programmes is not consistent with UEMS charter requirements and because of national regulation purposes presents a barrier to the movement of migrant professionals within Europe. This study serves as a focus for further research into training routes and standards of specialization in OM in Europe.