Program > Friday > 10:30 > Session 3. Sustainable RTW (1/3)

Paper: Training health and safety workers on best practices for return to work – what is the uptake?
Author(s) and Affiliation(s):
Carlo Ammendolia, Institute for Work & Health, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto
Yiming Wei, University of Western Ontario
David Cassidy, University Health Network, University of Toronto
Jane Gibson, Institute for Work & Health
Nicole Lindo, Workplace Safety & Insurance Board of Ontario
Download Presentation PDF:
application/pdf iconammendolia-carwh2010.pdf (601 KB)
Session : 3. Sustainable RTW (1/3)
Day/Time: Friday at 10:30
Room: St. Patrick Room, 3rd Floor
Objectives:

In Ontario, the duration of lost-time claims is increasing. Traditionally health and safety association (HSA) field consultants assist workplaces in reducing the incidence of work injury (primary prevention). Recently the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board have expanded its role to include disability prevention and return-to-work (DP/RTW). The objective of this study is to assess knowledge and self-efficacy among HSA field consultants in DP/RTW and to evaluate the integration of DP/RTW services into practice.

Methods:

A quasi-experimental method was used comparing outcomes before and after six interactive DP/RTW workshops conducted in four Ontario cities. Evaluations were conducted immediately before, after, six months and one year following the workshops using paper and web-based questionnaires. Main outcomes included self-efficacy, attitudes and knowledge in DP/RTW and the integration of DP/RTW services among HSA field consultants.

Results:

Among the 201 HSA consultants attending the workshops, 86%, 69% and 38% responded to the post workshop, six-months and one-year questionnaires respectively. At six months and one year, 89% and 83% of HSA consultants respectively felt confident in acquiring the skills and knowledge to provide education, awareness and resources in DP/RTW for workplaces. At one year, 80% of respondents indicated they were aware of available resources to assist workplaces in DP/RTW. The proportion of respondent who reported they currently provide DP/RTW programs for workplaces increased from 6% at six months to 56% at one year following the workshops.

Conclusions:

Although there appeared to be high self-efficacy and knowledge in DP/RTW, only half of HSA field consultants have implemented DP/RTW in practice.