Assessment of the M.Sc. course in Occupational Medicine at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 1969--74.

The M.Sc. course in Occupational Medicine started in September 1969 at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Between 1969--74, ninety-eight doctors attended this 9 month full-time course. Thirty-four were British and sixty-four from overseas. A questionnaire was mailed to all of them. Eighty-four replied, i.e. a response rate of 86%. Thirty-one of the U.K. doctors and fifty-three of the overseas replied. The difference between the UK and overseas doctors working full-time in occupational medicine was very marked before and after the course. 100% of the U.K. doctors and 89% of the overseas thought their objectives of attending the course were fulfilled. 97% of the U.K. doctors said the course covered the problems of their country as compared with 77% of the overseas. 100% of the U.K. doctors found the knowledge gained of practical value to their work. Suggestions were also made on topics taught and on the practical instruction of the course. It appears that the M.Sc. course is successful and that the objectives outlined when starting the M.Sc. were to a great extent fulfilled. The new changes introduced this year 1976 in the organization and the content of the course are also discussed, and their advantages emphasized.