An initiative of
Dr. Vincent Spilchuk
Program Director
Michael Hernandez
Occupational Medicine is that branch of medicine that emphasizes prevention, and deals clinically and administratively with the health needs of both individuals and groups with respect to their working environments and includes the recognition, evaluation, control, management and rehabilitation of occupationally related diseases and injuries, and other conditions affecting ability to work.
Occupational Medicine aims to:
Upon completion of training, a resident is expected to be a competent subspecialist in Occupational Medicine capable of assuming a consultant’s role in the subspecialty. The resident must acquire a working knowledge of the theoretical basis of the subspecialty, including its foundations in the basic medical sciences and research.
Only candidates certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Internal Medicine or Public Health & Preventive Medicine may be eligible for certification in Occupational Medicine.
Residents must demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes for effective patient-centred care and service to a diverse population. In all aspects of specialist practice, the graduate must be able to address issues of gender, sexual orientation, age, culture, ethnicity and ethics in a professional manner.
This residency program is for 2 years.
Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.
The University of Toronto program offers considerable breadth and depth of training in all academic and applied areas relevant to the sub-specialty of occupational medicine. There are excellent university-based educational resources in didactic areas relevant to occupational medicine practice such as epidemiology, toxicology, environmental health and occupational hygiene. Trainees entering through the Internal Medicine entry route will have an opportunity to do a Master’s degree during the two years of training. St. Michael’s Hospital has the largest academic occupational medicine clinic in Canada and serves as a primary site for clinical training as well as providing opportunities for applied research. Emphasis is placed on contact dermatitis, respiratory disease, occupational allergy and the vascular, neurological and musculoskeletal problems associated with the ergonomic and vibration hazards in industry. Excellent community placements have been developed in the Ontario Ministry of Labour, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and industry.
Occupational Medicine Specialists practice in a variety of settings. These include, but are not limited to, occupational health clinics, corporate medical jobs/company physicians, government jobs (Ministry of Labour, Workers’ Compensation Boards), and academia. Most specialists do a variety of types of work in their individual practices such as working as a company physician while also doing medico-legal (independent medical evaluations, file reviews) and clinical occupational medicine. Sob me specialists work exclusively in government or insurance settings.
It is possible to tailor some of the program to individual interests and career goals. It may be possible to arrange electives in subspecialty areas with advanced notice.
