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Development and validation of an occupational health triage tool.
- Source :
- Occupational Medicine; Aug-Oct2021, Vol. 71 Issue 6/7, p260-269, 10p, 2 Diagrams, 3 Charts, 1 Graph
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Background As work and health are closely interlinked, it is important to carefully monitor employees. However, limited resources restrict in-depth follow-up. Aims This study was aimed to develop a low-cost screening instrument for employees' overall health status, that can be used across industries and that allows triaging workers to in-depth health surveillance in case of indications of health or functioning problems. Methods We developed a new questionnaire-based algorithm built on multiple predictors to assess the need for further follow-up. We used a systematic review, Delphi panel (n = 9) and focus group (n = 5) to determine the predictors, tested for language pitfalls in a pilot study and evaluated the questionnaire's validity in two separate studies. Study 1 (n = 60) analysed the discriminatory power of the instrument by comparing it to the assessment of an occupational physician in a sample of employees from diverse occupational settings. Study 2 (n = 869) appraised the factor structure and internal consistency of the screening tool in a sample of employees from the hospital sector. Results Risk factors, current physical and mental health, functioning, absenteeism, job satisfaction and lifestyle were identified as the most relevant predictors. Study 1 showed the survey had good criterion validity (area under the curve = 0.72). Study 2 (N = 869, 28% response) demonstrated the internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.94), and a factor analysis confirmed a second-order factor structure with adequate model fit (comparative fit index = 0.96, root mean square error of approximation = 0.04 and standardized root mean square residual = 0.07). Conclusions This questionnaire can be used to triage workers for occupational health follow-up and can, additionally, be useful to describe the epidemiology of work-related illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09627480
- Volume :
- 71
- Issue :
- 6/7
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Occupational Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 152792099
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqab101