Affiliation:
1. Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute , 1100 DD Amsterdam , The Netherlands
Abstract
Abstract
Background
To support occupational physicians (OPs) in the implementation of workers’ health surveillance (WHS), a training programme was developed.
Aims
(i) To evaluate the effects of a WHS training programme for OPs on knowledge, self-efficacy and skills to implement WHS. (ii) To evaluate to what extent a WHS training programme is acceptable and feasible for implementation in practice.
Methods
A single-blinded randomized controlled trial with waiting-list control group was used. The WHS training programme consisted of an e-learning and a 4.5-h online training session. OPs completed a knowledge test (0–8), self-efficacy questionnaires on knowledge and skills (6–60), and vignette assignments (0–16) to measure skills. OPs completed the questionnaires, either before and after the WHS training programme (intervention group), or before the training programme (control group) while receiving the training programme after the waiting period. All OPs completed questionnaires about the training’s acceptability, and feasibility for implementation in practice. ANCOVA and Poisson regression analyses were conducted.
Results
The self-efficacy score (M = 44.1 versus M = 37.2) (P < 0.001) and skills score (M = 9.6 versus M = 8.3) (P < 0.05) of OPs in the training group (N = 16) were higher than the control group (N = 23). No effect was found on knowledge. Evaluation of acceptability and feasibility showed that 21 (58%) OPs were very satisfied with the training part on initiating WHS, and 29 (85%) would recommend the WHS training programme to colleagues.
Conclusions
This WHS training programme has a positive effect on self-efficacy and skills of OPs to implement WHS, and may be acceptable and feasible to implement in practice.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health