Frequently Asked Questions - The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics

Below is a list of questions and answers that many readers will find helpful. Don’t see the answer to your question? Feel free to ask a question.

I am interested in OEM but don’t know where to start. Who can I contact to inquire about finding an OEM rotation or shadowing opportunity in my area?

If there is an OEM residency program near you, then it is highly recommended to reach out to that program directly. They may have a number of rotations already set up and ready to go. Also, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) has a group called the ACOEM Ambassadors that would happily help connect you with the kind of opportunity you are seeking. They can best be reached by email at acoemambassadors@gmail.com.

With so many OEM job openings available, do I really need to be board-certified in OEM to get an OEM job?

The short answer is no. There certainly are physicians that transition into OEM jobs who have gained some experience in OEM or try to pick it up as they go. Just like many emergency rooms, especially in rural areas, are staffed by non-EM trained or board-certified physicians simply due to supply and demand constraints, there are non-OEM trained and board-certified physicians that work in OEM roles. However, the most sought-after and rewarding OEM jobs almost always require board certification. OEM training and board certification is also needed to practice at the top of your game.

If OEM is so great, why do OEM physicians try to publicize it and attract new competition to their field?

OEM really is one of the best-kept secrets in medicine, and there certainly are some OEM physicians who would like to keep it that way. However, most OEM physicians agree that as a relatively small medical specialty, numerical growth would benefit the specialty as a whole, especially in the long-term. Being small has its advantages, but also some disadvantages. Besides, there is no shortage of OEM job opportunities.

How is OEM different from Public Health and General Preventive Medicine (PHGPM) or Aerospace Medicine?

These are the three primary specialties under the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM). All of the ABPM specialties have a lot in common. PHGPM (commonly known as Prev Med) is the largest, while Aerospace Medicine (AM) is the smallest. OEM is far broader in scope than AM, with many more job opportunities. OEM is much more clinical than Prev Med, which is more focused on population health. OEM is focused more on workers and workforces. All three specialties have their advantages, so it is worth looking into each of them to see what fits you best. A good place to start is the American Board of Preventive Medicine website.

I notice that many OEM physicians are also board certified in at least one other specialty. Do I need to be board certified in something besides OEM to get a good job?

No. This is partly a function of the under-the-radar nature of OEM. Many physicians transition to OEM after they have already completed another residency, because they simply didn’t know about OEM earlier. It is also common for those in Preventive Medicine specialties to pick up an additional board certification via ABPM’s special pathway. While additional board certifications always look good on paper and may make you more competitive, and some jobs may even prefer them, most OEM jobs can be done by any residency-trained, board-certified OEM physician.