Teaching / Training

The IPA is a full member of the medical faculty of the Ruhr University Bochum and gives lectures on occupational medicine and health protection within the scope of the German medical licensing act for physicians.

Next to studying the basic principles of the German social security system medical students in their second year attend a cycle of lectures focusing on educational targets in occupational medicine, work-related diseases, and skills in toxicology, epidemiology, preventive instruments and methods. The students are introduced to practical examination methods from their first study year, practising problem-oriented learning in small student teams. In-depth clinical knowledge is extended by case reports. Skills in day-to-day clinical routines are practised in repeated exercises and regularly evaluated. Organized site inspections in a number of industrial sectors afford first-hand knowledge on the tasks of occupational physicians. By inspecting different branches of industry, students acquire knowledge on strategies and measures for health protection directly at workplaces and talk to safety experts and occupational physicians in companies.

In addition, IPA staff lecture students in the faculty of biology and biochemistry in the areas of immunology, experimental allergology and molecular medicine. Work placements are also offered for these subjects. A doctoral thesis can be completed at the IPA. Over ten internal and external doctoral candidates are currently being supervised by scientists at the various competence centers.

Together with the Universities of Duisburg-Essen and Dortmund, the IPA conducts the structured PhD programme ”Epidemiology and Clinical Research”. The aim of this programme is to equip young scientists in epidemiology and medicine for their own research activities through methodically oriented, structured training.

The IPA provides state-of-the-art graduate training in occupational toxicology as part of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia master’s degree program in toxicology at the University of Düsseldorf. The aim is to educate and train the next generation of young and talented scientists to conduct innovative research, particularly at higher education institutions, in order to improve overall human health.

In cooperation with the medical association of Westphalia-Lippe, the IPA offers a full course of training in occupational medicine leading to the qualification as a consultant in occupational medicine and supplementary qualification in occupational medicine. Furthermore, it conducts monthly training colloquia on up-to-date topics relevant to the work of occupational physicians.