The three faces of Occupational Medicine: printed paper, problems in practice, and professional purpose

The 50-year run of the journal Occupational Medicine and its forbears demonstrates the ways in which UK occupational medical practice has developed and changed since 1950. This has been in response to changes in society, technology and medicine. The journal has played an important part in education and professional development. It has also been the voice for the aspirations and concerns of its readers. Two aspects stand out: the development of occupational medicine as a specialty, and the way in which a medical model for occupational health service provision has been championed. A distinguished line of journal editors has been central to the crystallization of ideas within occupational medicine and their editorials map out professional successes and challenges over the years.