The Experts below are selected from a list of 23526 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Anne Kouvonen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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socioeconomic differences in Occupational Health Service utilization and sickness absence due to mental disorders a register based retrospective cohort study
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020Co-Authors: Jaakko Harkko, Hilla Sumanen, Kustaa Piha, Olli Pietilainen, Ossi Rahkonen, Minna Manty, Tea Lallukka, Anne KouvonenAbstract:Occupational Health Service (OHS) is the main provider of primary care Services for the working population in Finland. We investigated whether socioeconomic differences in the utilization of OHS predict sickness absence (SA) due to mental disorders. We used register linkage data covering the employees of the City of Helsinki aged 18–34 years (N = 6545) and 35–54 years (N = 15,296) from 2009 to 2014. The outcome was medically certified long-term (over 11 days) SA due to mental disorders. Cox regression analyses were performed to obtain hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Employees with low socioeconomic position (SEP) used OHS more frequently. The number of OHS visits independently predicted SA due to mental disorders. HRs were 1.59 (95% CI 1.35, 1.86) for those with frequent visits and 1.73 (95% CI 1.30, 2.29) for those with a clustered visit pattern among 18–34 year old employees; and 1.46 (95% CI 1.18, 1.81) and 1.41 (95% CI 1.14, 1.74) among 35–54 year old employees, respectively. In both age groups, lower education and routine non-manual worker position indicated the highest probability of SA. Low SEP predicts both high OHS utilization and subsequent SA due to mental disorders. Medical records may be used to accurately predict future SA, and the results indicate that preventive measures should be targeted particularly to younger employees with lower SEP.
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association between socioeconomic position and Occupational Health Service utilisation trajectories among young municipal employees in finland
BMJ Open, 2019Co-Authors: Hilla Sumanen, Jaakko Harkko, Kustaa Piha, Olli Pietilainen, Ossi Rahkonen, Anne KouvonenAbstract:Objectives To identify groups of municipal employees between the ages of 20 and 34 years with distinct utilisation trajectories of primary care Services provided by Occupational Health Service (OHS), measured as the annual number of OHS visits, and to identify demographic and socioeconomic risk factors that distinguish employees in the high utilisation trajectory group(s). Methods The present study is a retrospective register-based cohort study. All municipal employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, aged 20–34 in the Helsinki Health Study, recruited from 2004 to 2013, with follow-up data for 4 years were included in the study (n=9762). The outcome measure was group-based trajectories of OHS utilisation, identified with a group-based trajectory analysis. The demographic and socioeconomic variables used to predict the outcome were age, first language, educational level and Occupational class. The analyses were stratified by gender. Results A large proportion of the young employees do not use OHS. Trajectory groups of ‘No visits’ (50%), ‘Low/increasing’ (18%), ‘Low/decreasing’ (22%) and ‘High/recurrent’ (10%) use were identified. We found Occupational class differences in OHS utilisation patterns showing that lower Occupational classes had a higher propensity for ‘High/recurrent’ OHS utilisation for both genders. Conclusions Preventive measures should be targeted particularly to the trajectory groups of ‘Low/increasing’ and ‘High/recurrent’ in order to intervene early. In addition, OHS utilisation should be closely monitored among the two lowest Occupational classes. More research with longitudinal OHS data is needed.
Judith K Sluiter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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mental vitality work a workers Health surveillance mental module for nurses and allied Health care professionals process evaluation of a randomized controlled trial
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2013Co-Authors: Sarah M Ketelaar, Fania R Gartner, Linda Bolier, Odile Smeets, Karen Nieuwenhuijsen, Judith K SluiterAbstract:OBJECTIVE To evaluate the process of workers' Health surveillance (WHS) targeting work functioning and mental Health of Health care professionals, alongside a randomized controlled trial comparing two strategies. METHODS Nurses and allied Health care professionals working in one hospital were invited. Process indicators were assessed using methods such as questionnaires and track-and-trace data. RESULTS All participants (32%; N = 369) received screening and personalized feedback. In group 1, 41% went to a preventive consultation with their Occupational physician. Protocol adherence of participating Occupational physicians (n = 5) was high. They regarded the WHS mental module to be meaningful. In group 2, 16% logged into an e-mental Health intervention. Most participants would appreciate a future offer of the WHS. CONCLUSIONS The WHS mental module was well received and fitted in the Occupational Health Service activities. Nevertheless, response and compliance should be improved.
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better effect of the use of a needle safety device in combination with an interactive workshop to prevent needle stick injuries
Safety Science, 2011Co-Authors: Henk F Van Der Molen, Judith K Sluiter, Kooks A H Zwinderman, Monique H W FringsdresenAbstract:Abstract Objectives This study compares the effectiveness of two types of interventions with no intervention on the prevention of needle stick injuries (NSIs). Methods Health care workers, who were at risk for NSIs, were eligible for this three-armed cluster randomized controlled trial. In total, 23 hospital wards were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 intervention groups, which were given either a needle safety device and a workshop (NW; 7 wards, n = 267) or a workshop only (W; 8 wards, n = 263), or to a control group (C; 8 wards, n = 266). The primary outcome was the half-year incidence of NSIs, which was measured through questionnaires and official notification at the Occupational Health Service at baseline (T0), 6 months (T1) and 12 months (T2) after baseline. Analysis were done by intention to treat. This study is registered as a prospective randomized trial, number NTR1207. Results A statistically significant difference was found between the groups for the half-year incidence of NSIs ( p = 0.046) on the basis of questionnaire data with ORs for reported NSIs for the NW group compared with the control group of 0.34 (95% CI: 0.13–0.91) and 0.45 (95% CI: 0.19–1.06) for the W group compared with the control group. The officially registered NSIs during the study period showed no statistical differences between the groups. Conclusions The combined intervention of the introduction of needle safety devices and an interactive workshop led to the highest reduction in the number of self-reported NSIs compared to a workshop alone or no intervention.
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construct validity of functional capacity evaluation lifting tests in construction workers on sick leave as a result of musculoskeletal disorders
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2009Co-Authors: Vincent Gouttebarge, Judith K Sluiter, P. Paul F. M. Kuijer, Haije Wind, Monique H W FringsdresenAbstract:OBJECTIVES: To assess the construct (discriminative and convergent) validity of 5 Ergo-Kit (EK) functional capacity evaluation (FCE) lifting tests in construction workers on sick leave as a result of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). DESIGN: Cross sectional within-subject design. SETTING: Occupational Health Service for the construction industry. PARTICIPANTS: Male construction workers (N=72) on 6-week sick leave as a result of MSDs. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: After being assessed on 5 EK FCE lifting tests, participants were asked to complete the Von Korff questionnaire on pain intensity and disability as a result of MSDs and the instrument for disability risk assessing the risk for work disability. Discriminative validity was evaluated by comparing the results of the EK FCE lifting test scores between the 2 groups of participants based on the instrument for disability risk scores (high risk for work disability compared with low risk for work disability). Convergent validity was evaluated by assessing the associations between the results of the EK FCE lifting tests and Von Korff questionnaire self-reported pain intensity and disability as a result of MSDs. RESULTS: The hypothesized differences between both instrument for disability risk groups on the 5 EK FCE lifting tests were found in the expected direction but were not statistically significant (1 test exhibited a trend). Pearson correlation coefficients showed a poor convergent validity between the scores of the Von Korff questionnaire and the EK FCE lifting tests (-.29< or =r< or =.05). CONCLUSIONS: Poor construct validity of the 5 EK lifting tests was found: discriminative validity was not statistically established, and convergent validity with self-reported pain intensity and disability was poor.
Lode Godderis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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106 the impact of the new legislation on return to work in belgium experiences of a large Occupational Health Service
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2018Co-Authors: G Mylle, Chris Verbeek, Simon Bulterys, Lode GodderisAbstract:Introduction In order to prevent long-term sickness, Belgian authorities reformed legislation on return to work (RTW). From 2017, employees have access to the Occupational Health physicians (OHP) to support their RTW. In addition, employers, general practitioners and medical advisors can refer to OHP for disability assessment. In this study, we investigated for which diseases and conditions, RTW was most successful. Methods RTW trajectories carried out by IDEWE, one of the larges Occupational Health Services, were analysed. Differences according to gender, applicant, company size, duration and cause of absence were calculated and compared using Chi Square test. Results 506 completed RTW trajectories were available for analysis: 33,2% for male employees, 66,8% for women. 59,3% was initiated by the employee and 31,6% by the employer. Most trajectories (29,2%) were initiated in large companies, but 23,9% was carried out in companies with less than 20 employees. Mental disorders (35,5%) and musculoskeletal problems (33,1%) represent 2/3 of the causes, which corresponds with the main causes of long-term sickness absence in Belgium. For 28,3%, the Occupational physician could realise return to work after making adjustments on the job. However, 60,5% could no longer be re-employed at the same workplace (no possible job-person fit anymore). Re-integration appeared more successful for musculoskeletal disorders (37,5%) than for mental problems (only 16,6%). Finally, the chance on effective return to work reduced with duration of sickness absence. No significant differences in outcome were observed according to gender. Discussion Re-integration was realised with the guidance of the OHP for almost 30% of the trajectories. RTW is most challenging for mental disorders: guidance to re-employment into a more suitable job is indispensable to avoid long-term absence. In order to achieve this, cooperation with medical advisers can be explored.
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detailed calculation of Occupational Health Service costs through activity based costing the cost of risk assessment projects
Occupational Medicine, 2005Co-Authors: Lode Godderis, Guido Moens, P Fabiani, J Van Peteghem, Raphael Masschelein, Hendrik VeulemansAbstract:Because of recent changes in the European and the Belgian legislations, Occupational Health and safety activities have been redefined as covering different areas of competence: medical surveillance, Occupational safety, ergonomics, etc. Increasing specialization might lead to better quality, but might also lead to an increased cost of delivered Services. Since those Services are a result of a multidisciplinary approach, the costs are complicated to calculate. In Health care, activity-based costing (ABC) has been used to calculate treatment costs [1]. ABC calculates the cost of a Service by allocating all direct costs to the process. Indirect costs are allocated according to the consumption of activities in the process and the consumption of resources of each activity [2,3]. The aim of this study was to develop an ABC model to calculate the costs of risk assessments delivered by the Belgian external Service for prevention and protection at work (ESPPW) and to compare them with a legal minimum fee of 82e/h.
Pochin Chu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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1720b impacts of Occupational Health Service network to reporting Occupational diseases
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2018Co-Authors: Leon Guo, Pochin ChuAbstract:Occupational disease are frequently underreported, therefore their importance in Health consequences. This hinders the progress in Occupational Health and safety. To address this problem, several medical centres and the labour authority of Taiwan founded the Network of Occupational Diseases and Injuries Service (NODIS) for Occupational disease and injury Services and established a new Internet-based reporting system. The impacts of the Centres for Occupational Disease and Injury Services and their local network hospitals on compensable Occupational diseases were analysed, and the distribution of Occupational diseases across occupations and industries were described from 2005 to 2016. The NODIS reporting dataset and the National Labour Insurance scheme’s dataset of compensated cases were used. The annual incidence of reported Occupational diseases from the NODIS was compared with the annual incidence of compensable Occupational diseases from the compensated dataset during the same period. It is found that after the establishment of the NODIS, the two annual incidence rates of reported and compensable Occupational disease cases have increased by several folds from 2007 to 2016. The reason for this increased reporting and compensable cases may be the implementation of the new government-funded Internet-based system and increasing availability of hospitals and clinics to provide Occupational Health Services. During the 2008–2016 period, the most frequently reported Occupational diseases were carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar disc disorder, upper limb musculoskeletal disorders, and contact dermatitis. It is concluded that the network and reporting system was successful in providing more Occupational Health Services to workers, assisting the diagnosis of compensable Occupational diseases, and reducing underreporting of Occupational diseases. The experience in Taiwan could serve as an example for other newly developed countries facing under-diagnosis and under-reporting of Occupational diseases.
Kazuhiro Watanabe - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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effects of a multicomponent workplace intervention programme with environmental changes on physical activity among japanese white collar employees a protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
BMJ Open, 2017Co-Authors: Kazuhiro WatanabeAbstract:Introduction Physical activity is one of the most important Health behaviours as a determinant of physical and mental Health. Although intervention strategies for promoting physical activity among workers are needed, evidence for the effectiveness of multilevel workplace interventions with environmental changes on the promotion of physical activity are still limited due to lack of cluster randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The aim of this study is to investigate effects of a 3-month workplace intervention programme with environmental changes on the improvement in physical activity among Japanese white collar employees. Methods and analysis This study will be a two-arm and parallel-group cluster (worksite) RCT. Japanese worksites and employees who are employed by the worksites will be recruited through Health insurance associations and chambers of commerce. Worksites that meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated to intervention or control groups. The intervention worksites will be offered the original intervention programme that consists of 13 contents with environmental changes. The control worksites will be able to get three times feedback of the assessment of the amount of physical activity and basic Occupational Health Service in each worksite. The primary outcome will be the total amount of physical activity measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Multilevel latent growth modelling will be conducted to examine the effectiveness of the intervention programme. Ethics and dissemination This study was ethically approved by the research ethics committee of the Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan (No. 11230). Results will be submitted and published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal. Trial registration number UMIN000024069; Pre-results.
