Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

Korean occupational and environmental medicine specialists: demand-supply projections: Hee-Tae Kang, Hye-Eun Lee, Mo-Yeol Kang, Chungwon Kang, Kyong-sok Shin, Hyeon-Taek Heo, Yong Lim Won, Jungwon Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2026;38:e34. Published online July 27, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2026.38.e34

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF Supplementary Material: Background
Korea has experienced changes in the balance between the demand for and supply of occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) specialists due to recent policy and environmental shifts. This study projected demand and supply for these specialists for 2025–2035, focusing on those working in special health examination institutions and occupational health management agencies.
Methods
Demand was estimated by applying 2024 average workloads per OEM specialist to projected volumes of special health examinations and outsourced occupational health management for 2025–2035 under four scenarios that varied growth in outsourced management and the share of OEM specialists among participating physicians. Supply was projected using registration and official statistics for 1,010 specialists certified by 2025, combined with detailed residency cohort data, assumptions on future quotas, completion, and age at certification, and age-specific proportions working in the two institution types.
Results
Average workloads in 2024 were 4,793 workers per OEM specialist for special health examinations and 9,193 workers per physician for outsourced occupational health management. The number of OEM specialists younger than 90 years is projected to increase from 968 in 2025 to 1,244 in 2035, with those working in the two institution types increasing from 697 to 910. Depending on the scenario, demand in 2035 ranges from 838 to 943 specialists, with supply exceeding demand in three scenarios but remaining 33 specialists short in the most expansionary scenario.
Conclusions
Short-term shortages of OEM specialists are likely but remain highly manageable, after which surplus capacity is expected. Policy efforts should therefore stabilize OEM residency pipelines and prepare institutional mechanisms to deploy surplus specialists beyond special health examinations and outsourced occupational health management.; 한국의 직업환경의학과 전문의 수요-공급 추계
배경
한국은 최근 정책 및 환경 변화로 직업환경의학과(occupational and environmental medicine, OEM) 전문의의 수요와 공급 간 균형이 변화를 겪었다. 본 연구는 특수건강진단기관과 보건관리전문기관에서 근무하는 직업환경의학과 전문의를 중심으로 2025–2035년 수요와 공급을 예측하였다.
방법
수요는 2024년 직업환경의학과 전문의 1인당 평균 업무량을 바탕으로, 보건관리 위탁의 증가 정도와 참여 의사 중 직업환경의학과 전문의 비율을 달리한 네 가지 시나리오에서 2025–2035년 특수건강진단 및 보건관리 위탁 예상 업무량에 적용하여 추정하였다. 공급은 2025년까지 자격을 취득한 1,010명의 전문의 등록 및 공식 통계를 전공의 코호트 자료, 향후 정원·수련 완료율·자격 취득 연령에 대한 가정, 그리고 두 기관 유형에서의 연령별 종사 비율과 결합하여 추계하였다.
결과
2024년 평균 1인당 업무량은 특수건강진단의 경우 직업환경의학과 전문의 한 명당 4,793명, 보건관리 위탁의 경우 의사 한 명당 9,193명이었다. 90세 미만 직업환경의학과 전문의 수는 2025년 968명에서 2035년 1,244명으로 증가하고, 이 중 두 기관 유형에서 근무하는 인원은 697명에서 910명으로 늘어날 것으로 예상된다. 시나리오에 따라 2035년 수요는 838명에서 943명 사이이며, 세 시나리오에서는 공급이 수요를 초과하지만 가장 확장적인 시나리오에서는 2035년에 33명의 전문의가 부족한 상태가 유지된다.
결론
단기적으로 직업환경의학과 전문의 부족이 나타날 가능성이 있으나 충분히 관리 가능하며, 이후에는 공급 초과가 예상된다. 따라서 정책적으로 직업환경의학과 전공의 수련 체계를 안정화하는 동시에, 특수건강진단 및 보건관리 위탁을 넘어 과잉 공급되는 전문의를 배치할 수 있는 제도적 장치를 마련할 필요가 있다.

642 View
24 Download

Original Article

Current status and demand projections for occupational and environmental medicine specialists: focus on special health examinations and outsourced occupational health management services: Hye-Eun Lee, Hee-Tae Kang, Mo-Yeol Kang, Chungwon Kang, Kyong Sok Shin, Hyeon-Taek Heo, Yong Lim Won, Jungwon Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2026;38:e23. Published online July 1, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2026.38.e23

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF Supplementary Material

Background
Occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) specialists are key personnel within the occupational health system. Recent developments, such as the introduction of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and the expansion of occupational health policies targeting vulnerable workers, have highlighted the need to broaden the role of OEM specialists. This study analyzed the current workload of OEM specialists and projected their medium- to long-term demand.
Methods
The demand for OEM specialists was defined as the actual observed service utilization volume under the current legal, institutional, and policy environment. Key work areas were categorized as special health examinations and outsourced occupational health management services. Data sources included administrative records from the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) and the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MoEL), statistics on worker health examination results, and evaluation data from specialized agencies for occupational health management. Demand through 2035 was projected by applying the observed historical growth trend in service utilization. The required number of specialists was calculated by applying the average workload per specialist in the base year.
Results
As of 2025, 577 OEM specialists were working at 255 special health examination institutions. Among the 153 occupational health management agencies, 265 physicians were employed, including 133 OEM specialists. The number of workers requiring services from OEM specialists is predicted to continue growing. Applying the current average workload per physician, an additional 132 special health examination physicians and 92 occupational health management agency physicians will be needed by 2035.
Conclusions
Actual workforce demand may differ from the projections presented in this study depending on changes in policies, industrial structure, service delivery models, and work efficiency. Future studies should incorporate need-based estimates that reflect the diverse roles of OEM specialists and use integrated workforce data to provide more refined projections.

한국의 직업환경의학과 전문의 현황과 수요 추계 – 특수건강진단과 보건관리위탁을 중심으로
연구 배경: 직업환경의학과 전문의는 산업보건 체계에서 핵심적인 역할을 수행하는 인력으로, 그 수요와 역할은 산업안전보건 관련 법·제도와 정책 환경에 의해 크게 영향을 받는다. 최근 중대재해처벌법 도입과 취약노동자 대상 산업보건정책 확대에 따라 직업환경의학과 전문의의 역할 확장 필요성이 제기되고 있다. 본 연구는 직업환경의학과 전문의의 업무 현황을 분석하고 중장기 수요를 추계하고자 하였다.
연구 방법: 직업환경의학과 전문의 수요를 현행 법·제도 하에서 실제 관찰되는 서비스 이용량에 기반한 요구(demand)로 정의하였다. 주요 업무 영역을 특수건강진단과 보건관리전문기관 위탁업무로 구분하고, 산업안전보건공단 및 고용노동부 행정자료, 근로자건강진단 통계, 보건관리전문기관 평가자료 등을 활용하였다. 과거 서비스 이용량 증가 추세를 적용하여 특수건강진단과 보건관리위탁의2035년까지의 수요를 추계하고, 기준 연도의 전문의 1인당 평균 업무량을 적용하여 필요 인력을 산출하였다.
연구 결과: 2025년 기준 특수건강진단기관 255개소에 직업환경의학과 전문의 577명이 근무하고 있었으며, 보건관리전문기관 153개소에는 의사 265명이 근무하고 있었고 이 중 133명이 직업환경의학과 전문의였다. 수요 추계 결과, 현재의 전문의 1인당 평균 업무량을 적용할 경우 2035년에는 특수건강진단 분야에서 132명, 보건관리전문기관 분야에서 92명의 추가 인력이 필요한 것으로 추계되었다.
결론
정책의 변화, 산업 구조 변화, 서비스 제공 방식 및 업무 효율성의 변화에 따라 실제 인력 수요는 본 연구의 추계와 달라질 수 있다. 향후에는 다양한 역할을 포함한 필요 기반 추계와 통합적인 인력 데이터 구축을 바탕으로 보다 정교한 수요 예측 연구가 필요하다.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Korean occupational and environmental medicine specialists: demand-supply projections
Hee-Tae Kang, Hye-Eun Lee, Mo-Yeol Kang, Chungwon Kang, Kyong-sok Shin, Hyeon-Taek Heo, Yong Lim Won, Jungwon Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2026; 38: e34. CrossRef

1,131 View
54 Download
1 Web of Science
1 Crossref

Original Article

Injury rates and work-related diseases following workforce reduction among South Korean on-site workers in basic local governments between 2016 and 2018: Dongwhan Suh, Nahyun Kim, Han-Na Jung, Woo Chul Jeong, Hyunjoo Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2025;37:e17. Published online July 28, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2025.37.e17

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF Supplementary Material

Background
South Korean on-site workers in the public sector, fully covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, often perform hazardous tasks. However, their status and injury rates remain poorly documented. This study aimed to analyze changes in injury rates and the proportion of work-related diseases (WRDs) among on-site workers in basic local governments (BLGs) following workforce reductions between 2016 and 2018.
Methods
Data from two sources provided by the Ministry of Employment and Labor were analyzed: organizational data on the number of on-site workers, and cases of injuries, deaths, and diseases among on-site workers in 226 BLGs from 2016 to 2018; and workers’ compensation claims data (individual data) for on-site workers in BLGs during the same period. Injury, mortality, and disease incidence rates were calculated and compared between BLGs with increased and decreased workforce. The proportion of WRDs among all the injuries was also examined.
Results
The total number of on-site workers in BLGs decreased by 18.1% in 2018 compared with 2016. The injury rate increased from 0.46% in 2016 to 0.62% in 2018. BLGs with workforce reductions showed higher injury rates, particularly in those with fewer than 1,000 on-site workers. The proportion of WRDs among all injuries increased by 1.34 times in 2018 compared with 2016.
Conclusions
Workforce reductions among on-site workers in BLGs are associated with higher injury rates and a great proportion of WRDs. These findings highlight the need for improved occupational safety and health practices within the public sector and serve as an important basis for establishing workforce management and injury prevention policies. However, limitations in the available data made it challenging to identify worker groups particularly vulnerable to WRDs. Further research is needed, as it is critical for the development of effective occupational safety and health policies.

한국 기초자치단체 현업업무 종사자의 인력감소에 따른 재해율 및 작업관련질병 구성비 변화: 2016 - 2018년 산업재해 승인 자료 분석
목적
산업안전보건법의 전면 적용 대상인 공공행정 기관의 현업업무 종사자들은 종종 위험한 업무를 수행하고 있으나, 이들의 현황과 이들이 겪는 재해에 대해서는 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 본 연구는 2016년부터 2018년까지 기초자치단체 현업업무 종사자에서의 인력 감소 이후 재해율 및 작업관련질병 구성비의 변화를 분석하고자 하였다.
방법
고용노동부에서 제공한 2가지 자료를 분석하였다: (1) 2016년부터 2018년까지 226개 기초자치단체 현업업무 종사자 수, 재해자 수, 사망자 수, 질병 이환자 수를 포함한 조직 수준 자료, (2) 2016년부터 2018년까지 기초자치단체 현업업무 종사자의 산업재해 승인 자료 (개별 수준 자료). 이를 통해 재해율, 사망률, 질병 이환율을 산출하고, 전년 대비 근로자 수 증감에 따라 기초자치단체를 구분하여 두 집단 간 이러한 수치를 비교하였다. 또한, 전체 산업재해 중 작업관련질병의 구성비도 분석하였다.
결과
2018년 기초자치단체 현업업무 종사자 수는 2016년 대비 18.1% 감소하였다. 재해율은 2016년 0.46%에서 2018년 0.62%로 증가하였다. 전년 대비 현업업무 종사자 수가 감소한 기초자치단체에서의 재해율은 전년 대비 증가한 기초자치단체에서의 재해율보다 더 높았으며, 이는 현업업무 종사자 수가 1,000명 미만인 기초자치단체에서 더 두드러졌다. 전체 산업재해 중 작업관련질병의 구성비는 2016년에 비해 2018년에 1.34배 증가하였다.
결론
기초자치단체의 현업업무 종사자 수 감소는 재해율 및 작업관련질병 구성비 증가와 관련이 있다. 본 연구 결과는 공공부문 현업업무 종사자의 산업안전보건에 대한 인식을 제고하고, 향후 인력관리 및 재해 예방 정책 수립을 위한 기초자료로 활용될 수 있다. 다만, 원 자료의 한계로 인해 작업관련질병에 특히 취약한 근로자 집단을 구체적으로 파악하는 데는 어려움이 있었다. 이는 산업안전보건 정책 수립 시 중요한 문제이므로 향후 추가적인 연구가 필요하다.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Early Effects of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act on Occupational Health Outcomes in Korea: A Nationwide Difference‐in‐Differences Study (2017–2023)
Hyewon Park, Misong Woo, Wanhyung Lee
American Journal of Industrial Medicine.2026; 69(8): 657. CrossRef

4,012 View
223 Download
1 Web of Science
1 Crossref

Research Article

A global, cross cultural study examining the relationship between employee health risk status and work performance metrics: Ana Howarth, Jose Quesada, Peter R. Mills; Ann Occup Environ Med 2017;29:17. Published online June 12, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0172-1

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Background

Health risk assessments (HRA) are used by many organisations as a basis for developing relevant and targeted employee health and well-being interventions. However, many HRA’s have a western-centric focus and therefore it is unclear whether the results can be directly extrapolated to those from non-western countries. More information regarding the differences in the associations between country status and health risks is needed along with a more global perspective of employee health risk factors and well-being overall. Therefore we aimed to i) quantify and compare associations for a number of health risk factors based on country status, and then ii) explore which characteristics can aid better prediction of well-being levels and in turn workplace productivity globally.

Methods

Online employee HRA data collected from 254 multi-national companies, for the years 2013 through 2016 was analysed (n = 117,274). Multiple linear regression models were fitted, adjusting for age and gender, to quantify associations between country status and health risk factors. Separate regression models were used to assess the prediction of well-being measures related to productivity.

Results

On average, the developing countries were comprised of younger individuals with lower obesity rates and markedly higher job satisfaction compared to their developed country counterparts. However, they also reported higher levels of anxiety and depression, a greater number of health risks and lower job effectiveness. Assessment of key factors related to productivity found that region of residency was the biggest predictor of presenteeism and poor pain management was the biggest predictor of absenteeism.

Conclusions

Clear differences in health risks exist between employees from developed and developing countries and these should be considered when addressing well-being and productivity in the global workforce.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40557-017-0172-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Perceived productivity when working from home: Insights into the global experience
Saija Toivonen, Ina Blind, Riikka Kyrö
International Journal of Organizational Analysis.2025; 33(12): 56. CrossRef
The moderating effects of relative racio-ethnicity on the inclusion to health to turnover intentions relationship
Karen Holcombe Ehrhart, Beth G. Chung
Personnel Review.2024; 53(5): 1289. CrossRef
Work Ability and Well-Being Management and Its Barriers and Facilitators in Multinational Organizations: A Scoping Review
Rahman Shiri, Barbara Bergbom
Healthcare.2023; 11(7): 978. CrossRef
Investigating Associations Between Physical Activity and Presenteeism – A Scoping Review
Valérie Hervieux, Caroline Biron, Justine Dima
American Journal of Health Promotion.2023; 37(8): 1147. CrossRef
The mutual interdependences between safety and operations: A systematic literature review
Alessandra Neri, Enrico Cagno, Samuele Paredi
Safety Science.2022; 153: 105812. CrossRef
Long-term sickness absence in a working population: development and validation of a risk prediction model in a large Dutch prospective cohort
Lennart R. A. van der Burg, Sander M. J. van Kuijk, Marieke M. ter Wee, Martijn W. Heymans, Angelique E. de Rijk, Goedele A. Geuskens, Ramon P. G. Ottenheijm, Geert-Jan Dinant, Annelies Boonen
BMC Public Health.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Determinants of Depressive Symptoms Among Rural Health Workers: An Application of Socio-Ecological Framework

Fatemeh Bakhtari, Parvin Sarbakhsh, Jalil Daneshvar, Devender Bhalla, Haidar Nadrian
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare.2020; Volume 13: 967. CrossRef
Analysis of a comprehensive wellness program's impact on job satisfaction in the workplace
Craig Marshall
International Hospitality Review.2020; 34(2): 221. CrossRef
Associations between healthcare worker participation in workplace wellness activities and job satisfaction, occupational stress and burnout: a cross-sectional study in Botswana
Jenny H Ledikwe, Nora Joelle Kleinman, Maureen Mpho, Heather Mothibedi, Shreshth Mawandia, Bazghina-werq Semo, Gabrielle O’Malley
BMJ Open.2018; 8(3): e018492. CrossRef

3,833 View
10 Download
8 Web of Science
9 Crossref

First
Prev
Page of 1
Next
Last

Search