Recommended Reading
There is no single textbook required to pass the DOccMed exam.
The Faculty of Occupational Medicine provides a broad reading list covering core topics, legislation, and clinical guidance.
In practice, most candidates use a small number of core resources alongside question banks.
Commonly Used Resources
- Oxford Handbook of Occupational Health
- ABC of Occupational & Environmental Medicine
- Fitness for Work: The Medical Aspects
- Pocket Consultant: Occupational Health
These cover most of the clinical and applied aspects of the exam.
Most candidates rely too heavily on reading.
They go through textbooks. They recognise the material. But they still struggle.
Because the exam is not testing recall — it is testing how you apply knowledge to uncertain situations.
Active Learning
Reading alone is passive. Active learning means using questions to drive your study.
- Attempt questions early
- Commit to an answer
- Review explanations carefully
- Identify weak areas
- Use references to fix gaps
How to Use Reading
Textbooks are useful — but only when used with intent.
- Clarify topics you got wrong
- Strengthen weak areas
- Confirm understanding
Avoid broad, unfocused reading.
Reading gives you information. Active learning turns that information into decisions.