A survey of occupational medicine practice and workforce needs in Australasia

Introduction
The demands on and need for occupational physicians have changed considerably in Australasia in the last few decades. In 2009 an on-line survey of Fellows and Trainees of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine was conducted to inform the future direction and training needs of the Faculty.

Methods
The survey was sent to all Fellows and Trainees in the Faculty and completed electronically. 70% of eligible Fellows and Trainees participated in the survey, which included questions on basic demographics, geographic location and sector employment, levels of income and retirement planning, practice details, and professional development. There was also space for general feedback.

Results
Four fifths of respondents were male, 70% were aged between 45 and 65 years and most worked full time in occupational medicine. 23% covered only one industry and 17% covered only two. Compensable medicine, “other government”, transport, health and manufacturing were the main industries covered. Agriculture was covered by only 3% of respondents. Research and teaching were a very minor part of practice for most - only 4% worked predominantly in research and 70% did no research work at all. Clinical work comprised 58% of practice. Medico-legal work occupied the largest proportion (34%) of time spent on occupational medicine, with consulting (23%) and primary care work (22%) occupying similar proportions. 44% reported that they intended to retire in the next 10 years, and 63% within the next 15 years. 72% of respondents answered that they were optimistic about their future in occupational medicine; 13% reported they were not optimistic and 16% stated that they were not sure.

Discussion
The survey results provide an important insight into the practice of occupational medicine in Australasia and have significant implications for workforce training and development.