1. On behalf of ACOEM I would like to thank the AIHCE organizers and Jim Thornton for inviting us to participate in the Roundtable Partnership, Coalition, Consensus- The Professional Organization Perspective.
I am the Second Vice-president of ACOEM, I come from an industrial background, academic background, and a consultant/clinical background. (explain role and change at ACOEM and change in career)
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) is the largest international organization representing physicians who practice in the field of occupational and environmental medicine.
The membership is more than 6,000 strong and has as one of its principal objectives that of educating industry, medical personnel, and the public on workplace health and safety issues. The members of ACOEM provide professional services to business, industry, and workers worldwide.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Introduction

2. OEM Mission
Occupational and environmental medicine is the medical specialty devoted to prevention and management of occupational and environmental injury, illness, and disability; and promotion of health and productivity of workers, their families, and communities.
This is the mission of occupational medicine physicians.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

3. The Team Approach
OM physician works with management and other occupational health professionals
The occupational medicine physician’s primary objective is to enhance the health and safety of the workplace. By accomplishing this objective, the physician best serves both the employer and the worker. This is achieved by enhancing health and safety in the workplace, matching the worker and the task, and appropriate illness and injury management with rapid rehabilitation and return to work. Because of the numerous entities which have legitimate interests in these programs, effective communication among all is essential.
The end result for business and industry is improved cost effectiveness, cost efficiency and enhanced health and well-being for the worker. The occupational medicine physician is an expert in both business and health.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
The Value of OEM

4. The Occupational Health Team and the Physician’s Place
As an industrial member
As a Medical member
One of the major roles of the occupational medicine physician is to coordinate preventive strategies and medical management with other industry and medical personnel.
Hazards in the workplace are addressed with safety, ergonomic, and industrial hygiene personnel(such as Safety professional.Industrial Hygienist,Worker representative, Management, Health Physicist, and Ergonomist).
Medical management issues are discussed with other providers, the employee’s own personal physician, and clinics or hospitals.
Because occupational medicine physicians are trained to operate in both the medical and corporate cultures, they serve as a bridge between the two cultures, enhancing the health and safety of the workforce.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Role of OEM in the Workplace

5. Roles and Responsibilities of the OM Physician
The medical specialty of occupational medicine focuses on the workplace and its environment. The occupational medicine physician is a business’s best resource to prevent, diagnose, and treat workplace illness and injury.
Occupational medicine physicians are uniquely qualified by their education and training to understand workplace issues. They help employers identify, detect, prevent, and educate employees regarding workplace and environmental hazards.
An important question that the business community should ask is, “What is the value of occupational medicine to business and industry?” These values are extensive. The selection and maintenance of a healthy work force is facilitated through preplacement and periodic physical examinations. The ready availability of medical care with treatment and close follow-up enhances employees early return to work, resulting in reduced absences and lost time, thus reducing cost and maintaining productivity.
Corporate liability is reduced by appropriate and timely management of work and non-work related health concerns. Occupational physicians with extensive knowledge regarding work-related issues and regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Leave Act, workers’ compensation, disability management, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act assist in putting in place procedures and policies which satisfy regulatory compliance.
as clinicians occupational physicians primarily:
diagnos and treat occupational illness/injury;conduct medical evaluations;return workers at an appropriate level;coordinate with work-site personnel;and serve as a medical review officer (MRO).
The occupational medicine physician’s clinical role in business and industry ranges from assessment to treatment to rehabilitation. One of the most important functions is to determine when the worker can return to work and what tasks he or she can perform with the goal of full rehabilitation back into the workplace. The occupational and environmental medicine physician coordinates recommendations with all appropriate parties; the company, the patient, the insurance carrier, and other health care providers. In some work site situations, the occupational and environmental medicine physician serves as the medical review officer for substance abuse testing.
as an assistant to employers occupational physicians:
develop and implement policy and procedures;identify workplace hazards;advise on state and federal regulations;provide leadership to health benefits program;supervise wellness programs; and provide case management for workers’ comp.
The occupational medicine physician fulfills many organizational and administrative functions in industry and business. These range from identifying workplace hazards to helping the company develop the policies and procedures necessary to deal with the hazard. Another vital role is as a part of the administrative team in reviewing workers’ compensation and the company’s health benefits program. To help enhance health among workers and their families, and to reduce days lost to illness and injury, the occupational and environmental medicine physician designs and directs wellness programs.
As a clinician
As an Assistant to employers
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Role of OEM in the Workplace

6. 1916 – AAIP&S
American Association of Industrial Physicians & Surgeons formed.
1951 – IMA
AAIP&S changes name its name to the Industrial Medical Association.
Now switch gears with and lets look at the primary organization that represents occupational physicians today.
What is now the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine came into existence nearly 90 years ago when, in 1916, a group of physicians came together to form the American Association of Industrial Physicians and Surgeons (AAIP&S).
The organization was created to foster the study and discussion of the problems peculiar to the practice of industrial medicine and surgery; to develop methods adopted to the conservation of health among workmen in the industries; to promote a more general understanding of the purposes and results of the medical care of employees; and to unite into one organization members of the medical profession specializing in industrial medicine and surgery for their mutual advancement in the practice of their profession.
In 1951, the organization became the Industrial Medical Association. The new name reflecting that membership was not limited to the American continent.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

7. 1974 – AOMA 1988 – ACOM IMA becomes the
American Occupational Medical Association.
1988 – ACOM
AOMA and the American Academy of
Occupational Medicine merge to form the American College of Occupational Medicine.
The College underwent another name change in 1974 when it became the American Occupational Medical Association (AOMA). This name was chosen to clarify that the practice of occupational medicine was not limited to the industrial site.
The merger of AOMA and the Academy represented consolidation of the primary groups representing occupational physicians.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

8. American College of Occupational
1992 – ACOEM
ACOM becomes the
American College of Occupational
and Environmental Medicine.
In 1992 the College expanded its name to become the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).
The addition of “environmental” to the College’s name reflected the fact that, by the 1990s, the principles and practice of occupational medicine had now extended beyond the confines of the workplace to encompass many aspects of environmental health – from the home to the community.
This name change was intended to reflect to workers, management, the American public and medical practitioners the breadth of expertise that ACOEM members can provide.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

9. ACOEM Mission
ACOEM provides leadership to promote optimal health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments
ACOEM does this by:
educating health professionals and the public;
stimulating research;
enhancing quality of practice;
guiding public policy; and
advancing the field of occupational and
environmental medicine.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

10. ACOEM Vision
To be the pre-eminent organization of physicians who champion the health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments.
There is always discussion about expanding beyond physicians and some of our sections have non-physicians as members. We also draw on consultants in the appropriate fields for position and scientific papers.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

11. ACOEM Business Goals provide an emphasis on physician education;
enhance the specialty of OEM; and
strengthen ACOEM.
We feel that this is what we are about as an organization when you get down to it. We are dedicated to serving the needs of our members and these things help to do that.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

12. Challenges Faced By ACOEM
Recognition;
Volunteerism; and
Changing demographics.
I do not think these issues are unique to ACOEM. We are also faced with membership levels and growth that are not necessarily reflective of what we understand are practicing in the field.
With Recogntion, ACOEM believes the best approach to increase Government / Public / Media Awareness is by:
developing science-based position
papers/position statements.
communicating ACOEM/OEM positions
on legislative issues to appropriate
Washington agencies.
In the area of volunteerism ACOEM feels that it has to overcome the membership issues of;( especially for those in private sector )
limited financial resources;
time constraints;
life/career stage.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

13. Demographics – 1992
You have to view the next 2 slides together. So try to keep this slide in mind when you see the next one. At least remember that in 1992 Corporate physicians made up 46% of our membership and private practice made up 8%.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

14. Demographics
As you can see our membership has had a big change. Now private practice physicians makes up 41% and corporate physicians make up 27%. All other groups have declined to some degree. The new animal emerging is “utlization/case management department physicians or consultants”.
Copyright 2000 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine