Study Protocol for a Qualitative Research Project Exploring an Occupational Health Surveillance Model for Workers Exposed to Hand-Intensive Work

Kristina Eliasson, Peter Palm, Catarina Nordander, Gunilla Dahlgren, Charlotte Lewis, Therese Hellman, Magnus Svartengren and Teresia Nyman
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Kristina Eliasson: Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
Peter Palm: Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
Catarina Nordander: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, 227 33 Lund, Sweden
Gunilla Dahlgren: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
Charlotte Lewis: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
Therese Hellman: Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
Magnus Svartengren: Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
Teresia Nyman: Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: The objective of this study protocol is to describe the development of a process model for occupational health surveillance for workers exposed to hand-intensive work (the HIW-model), and to describe the studies that will explore the model. The studies are designed to: (1) explore stakeholders’ experiences of the model, and (2) explore if, and how, the model affects actions for reduction of exposure to hand-intensive work. The study protocol presents a research project that is described as two studies. The first study will explore company representatives’ and ergonomists’ experiences of the execution of the HIW-model and its various components concerning feasibility and values. Semi-structured interviews will constitute the data source. The second study will explore whether the execution of the HIW-model leads to work environmental changes, such as actions for reduction of exposure to hand-intensive work, and whether these potential actions are based on the ergonomist’s feedback of the exposure assessment and the medical health checks. A mixed method approach will be applied, in which the data sources will be comprised of semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and documents. The project is expected to generate knowledge regarding the values of the HIW-model. The project is anticipated to shed light on factors that facilitate or impede execution of the model from the different stakeholders’ perspectives; the employer’s as having the legal responsibility for the work environment, and the occupational health service consultants’, being the work environment experts supporting the employers.

Keywords: occupational health service; exposure assessment; musculoskeletal disorders; ergonomists; legislation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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