Transformation of occupational health in the Czech Republic: Challenge for education and training

The establishment of occupational health services entrusted with essentially preventive tasks was enacted in the Czech Republic only in 1991. A major obstacle to the implementation of this legal provision is the limited number of specialists in occupational medicine, less than 250 for a total labour force of about 5 million. Enhanced education and training of further occupational physicians is needed, the resources being general practicioners having expertise with basic occupational health care in various sectors of economic activities. In order to meet the EC standards for the specialty, cooperation within the framework of EASOM is highly desirable.