[Reflecting about 40 years of occupational medicine in Mexico].

Thirty-eight years ago, occupational medicine was recognized as medical specialty in Mexico. Its achievements have been discreet and its evolution has been marked by situations that have questioned its credibility, relevance and viability, despite its significant value for the Mexican health care institutions, for the public and for the private sector. This paper addresses the importance of the field of occupational medicine, showing its social relevance and makes some remarks about the essential quality of the specialists that this discipline requires.