A Two-Year Program
The Occupational Medicine Residency, accredited by the ACGME, is a two-year program: the first year is the academic year, followed by a second-year practicum. Applicants must have completed a clinical year (PGY1) in a recognized, ACGME-approved direct primary patient care specialty prior to entering the program. Several residents have successfully completed a two-year residency in occupational medicine after completing a three-year residency in internal medicine. Additional training in occupational medicine research is available.
The Academic Year
The academic year leads to completion of the MPH degree in Occupational and Environmental Health. This degree requires 42 semester hours of graduate study. It also provides a foundation of knowledge in the areas of epidemiology, biostatistics, health care organization, occupational and environmental medicine, and social and behavioral medicine.
The Practicum Year
The practicum year is twelve months in length. The purpose of the practicum year is to provide experience in the clinical and administrative aspects of direct worker care and job assignment, medical screening and surveillance, illness and injury prevention, environmental assessment, employee assistance, and relevant regulatory compliance. For at least four months (full time or equivalent) of the practicum year, the resident rotates at industrial/corporate settings or clinics which provide comprehensive occupational health services to local industries. In addition to the four months in such settings, residents may complete practicum rotations in community occupational medicine clinics, and with relevant University clinical departments such as Orthopedics, Dermatology and Pulmonary. They also attend The University of Iowa Occupational Medicine Clinic and participate in The University of Iowa Workers’ Health and Employee Health Clinics. They may also participate in research projects.
