The Imperative to Incorporate Climate Change Competencies into Occupational and Environmental Medicine Training to Safeguard Worker Health.

Abstract

The aims of the study were to identify relevant gaps and suggest modifications to occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) graduate medical education to increase knowledge about potential climate change impacts, teach practical skills, and promote relevant actions to protect workers. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine competencies were aligned to the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education physician competencies. Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) OEM milestones were re-examined using a milestone curricular guide based on the peer-reviewed Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education competencies. Climate change-related OEM knowledge and skills are proposed for each OEM core competency domain. Nine residency milestones mapped to the ten American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine core competencies are highlighted by incorporating a climate-related activity along with a call to action. OEM training already provides more climate-relevant content than other specialties. Nonetheless, OEM residents need more climate change education to help employers, workers, and their communities to anticipate, mitigate, and adapt to climate change.