LFOM Written study guide
LFOM Written · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The LFOM Written examination is the written component of the Licentiate of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, the qualification route associated with the Faculty of Occupational Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians in London. It is aimed at doctors who are developing a career in occupational medicine and who need to demonstrate a structured, evidence-based understanding of the specialty before progressing further. Because the exam is written rather than practical, it tests your ability to organise knowledge, reason through clinical and workplace scenarios, and communicate decisions clearly under time pressure. The syllabus content is commonly described as falling into three broad areas: core clinical occupational medicine, occupational health practice and service delivery, and the legal, ethical and health-and-work context that frames advice to workers and employers. The LFOM Written study guide has 3 sections and about 974 words.
01Occupational Medicine Core Clinical Practice
Core clinical practice asks you to reason from exposure to health effect, and back again. Candidates must know the main occupational lung diseases (silicosis, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, asbestos-related disease, occupational asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, COPD from dusts), noise-induced hearing loss, hand-arm vibration syndrome, musculoskeletal and work-related stress presentations, occupational dermatoses, and the classic toxicology of lead, mercury, solvents, pesticides and carbon monoxide.
337 words, about 2 min02Occupational Health Practice and Service Delivery
This domain covers how occupational health services are designed, delivered and evaluated: pre-placement and periodic health surveillance, fitness-for-work assessment, rehabilitation and return-to-work, absence management, workplace risk assessment, health promotion, and the interface with HR, safety and primary care. Know the difference between health surveillance (a statutory, exposure-driven programme) and general health screening.
314 words, about 2 min03Law, Ethics and Health and Work
This domain covers the legal framework around health and work and the ethical duties of the occupational physician. Know the principles of consent and confidentiality, the duty of care to worker and employer, statutory reporting of occupational disease, and the role of the occupational physician as an independent adviser.
323 words, about 2 min