[Academic occupational medicine].
This assay analyses the sorry state of occupational medicine, particularly in Italian Academy, and discusses the opportunities for its revitalization. Contrary to its past history, occupational medicine is only witnessing the ongoing extraordinary revolution in biomedical sciences and taking no advantage from it. The main reason for this academic decline may be due, paradoxically, to its success. The change of paradigm, from clinical medicine to preventive activities was relatively quick, missing a clear understanding of their differences in backgrounds, methods and objectives. Moreover, the spread of different disciplines across occupational medicine has led to an impoverish role of biomedical sciences and to diminished medical skills of occupational physicians. The wide range of opportunities offered by translational medicine gives to the discipline unprecedented chances of revitalization.
Lotti
M
M
Università degli Studi di Padova, Dipartimento di Medicina Ambientale e Sanità Pubblica, Padova. marcello.lotti@unipd.it
D007558:Italy; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends