Occupational Medicine?

[OMSWeebHours]

I have recently heard about occupational medicine and considered it may be a good fit for me at this time. However, I know relatively little about how to get into that field. I'm wondering as to which residency and/or fellowship I would need to have to get into the field. FM? IM? A specific one for occupational med?

I have never heard of someone matching Occupational Med so that's where my confusion stems from. If someone here would be able to enlighten me on this, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

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[shaggybill]

What's your current status? Med student? Resident? Already board certified in something?

Edit: Reading your post history, it looks like you are a first year med student. My advice would be to just power through these first two years and once you start clinical rotations you'll have a better idea of what you like.

To answer your question, occupational medicine has it's own residency, but you first have to complete an intern year somewhere else since occ-med programs do not offer that.

 

[OMSWeebHours]

What's your current status? Med student? Resident? Already board certified in something?

Edit: Reading your post history, it looks like you are a first year med student. My advice would be to just power through these first two years and once you start clinical rotations you'll have a better idea of what you like.

To answer your question, occupational medicine has it's own residency, but you first have to complete an intern year somewhere else since occ-med programs do not offer that.

Wouldn't that require matching a residency elsewhere first? I'm concerned changing residencies midway might not be seen well

 

[smq123]

Wouldn't that require matching a residency elsewhere first? I'm concerned changing residencies midway might not be seen well

No, you would do a transitional year or a prelim year - i.e. residencies that are only 1 year in length and designed to give you just an intern year. Many other specialties (derm, ophtho, anesthesia, radiology, radiation oncology, etc) require an intern year.

 

[OMSWeebHours]

No, you would do a transitional year or a prelim year - i.e. residencies that are only 1 year in length and designed to give you just an intern year. Many other specialties (derm, ophtho, anesthesia, radiology, radiation oncology, etc) require an intern year.

Wait, people apply before that though normally, right? I heard for Occupational Med it's not even in the match though

 

[gutonc]

Wait, people apply before that though normally, right? I heard for Occupational Med it's not even in the match though

Start here. Once you've read that and read all the linked pages, come back to ask clarifying questions. Or just ask in that thread.

 

[OMSWeebHours]

That's definitely helpful. It states there are only 24 residencies, so I'm curious how competitive it is given it is relatively unknown but isn't available in many places.

 

[gutonc]

That's definitely helpful. It states there are only 24 residencies, so I'm curious how competitive it is given it is relatively unknown but isn't available in many places.

It's relatively unknown. There's your answer.

You might benefit from reaching out to that user with specific questions.

 

[OMSWeebHours]

Good point. Yes, it does seem very niche. I have seen almost nothing about it until very recently. I'll ask them. Thanks!

 

[OEM doc]

OEM is an obscure specialty and it is hard to find really good information about it even with multiple Google searches. Many OEM docs like it that way - it stays a secret from the masses. OEM is in the NRMP match starting in the 2024-2025 application/match cycle.

Luckily there is a new site that answers pretty much any question you might have about OEM training and practice. Check out the OEM Information Page and if that doesn't answer your questions, feel free to message me. I am a rare practicing OEM physician that also has an account on SDN.