Transdisciplinary Approaches to Occupational Safety and Health Research and Practice

Transcription

1 Transdisciplinary Approaches to Occupational Safety and Health Research and Practice Pietra Check, MPH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Invited Lecture, Virginia Polytechnic Institute September 28, 2012

2 The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

3 Outline Research Translation and Research to Practice Work as a social determinant of health Team research Team research in occupational safety and health Example: NIOSH partnership with Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs Example: Safety Pays, Falls Cost construction campaign Questions

4 Problem Why aren t we realizing more substantial clinical benefits from this explosion of discovery? When will we see sustained and tangible improvements in human health? Disis & Slattery (2010) Science Translational Medicine 2(22):22cm9 1-4, p. 1.

5 Translational Research/ Research Translation Began with NIH: bench to bedside Emerging: Public health impact Specific health outcomes Healthcare innovations Reductions in disparities Economics Policy changes

6 The Research Continuum Changes in Policy & Practice Communication of Results Basic Research & Surveillance Evaluation Applied Research

7 Research to Practice A collaborative process between NIOSH and its partners that combines the generation of knowledge with the adoption of that knowledge in the workplace to reduce worker injury and illness.

8 Work is a Social Determinant of Health the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels, which are themselves influenced by policy choices -WHO

9 Social-Ecological Framework Individual Interpersonal Community Society

10 TransdisciplinaryResearch Bridges knowledge and action Issue-driven Integration of perspectives, theories, approaches results in a new framework Collaboration between disciplines, nonresearchers, stakeholders etc. All expertise weighted equally

11 Barriers Infrastructure Funding Publications Silos Vocabulary and other communication issues Culture barriers between disciplines, between academic and non-academic Loss of control by researchers

12 Benefits Generate better understanding of complex problems, social issues Identify promising solutions and actions Move research into practice more quickly and effectively

13 Research Translation in OSH End-user orientation Engaging stakeholders to improve the relevance, quality, and impact of research Evaluation Practice

14 Engaging Stakeholders & End-Users Community-based participatory research Participatory action research Participatory research Action research Partnership Advisory Committees Consultations

15 Example: NIOSH Partnership with Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs Transdisciplinary team: Anthropology Psychology Industrial Hygiene Public Health Immigrant issues, community groups Promotores de salud Health Communications International Cooperation & Development Migrant Health & Epidemiology

16 Goal To integrate occupational safety and health as a key subject area into the health promotion infrastructure of the Mexican Consulates in the US

17 Expected Outcomes Series of education/awareness materials on OSH Training curriculum for promotores de salud, other health promotion staff Improved & expanded network of OSH service providers Enhanced equity for workers Replication of the model

18 Research Methods Behavior change/communication theory Observation Active Listening Key Informant Interviews Cognitive Testing Subject matter expert consultation Peer & stakeholder review Intercept interviews Pilot testing

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22 Unexpected Outcomes Individual consulates requested assistance (2 independent events) re: potential clusters Contributed to survey instruments, will request data stripped of identifiers Participation on consultation & advisory committees for health promotion program Collaboration between health promotion & legal protection departments

23 Success? Difficult to measure Non-traditional outcomes To whom are we responsive? If teams cannot critically evaluate their own innovations in a safe, shared, intellectual space, they are doomed. Disis & Slattery (2010) p.3

24 Example: Safety Pays, Falls Cost Transdisciplinary team: OSH researchers, epidemiologists Safety and health professionals, regulators Trade associations Labor representatives Other industry groups Health communications Social marketing and public affairs

25 Goal To provide small residential construction contractors/owners the information, motivation, and support they need to create the necessary conditions for their workers to work safely at heights.

26 Intended Audience Primary: Contractors/owners of small residential firms Secondary: Foremen/supervisors Tertiary: Workers

27 Values Evidence-based campaign Sector Council-led Evaluation essential to demonstrate success

28 Process Formative Research Environmental Scan Focus group study 15 focus groups in 4 cities Small residential contractors, or their supervisors/foremen (6 groups) English-speaking workers (6 groups) Spanish-speaking workers (3 groups)

29 Process Campaign Planning Contractor Comprehensive social marketing plan Sector Council team Choose essential and feasible activities Reach out to key partners Design initial Campaign materials & evaluation strategy Mobilize to plan Campaign launch & subsequent activities

30 Key Strategies Partnerships Media Relations Internet and New Media Advertising State and Local Engagement 360 degree outreach Contractors encounter the Campaign in the course of their daily lives

31 State and Local Engagement Direct outreach to intended audience Engage local media Host a local event Training, education, awareness Observance Equipment or practice demonstration Contractor-expert meet & greet

32 Partnerships State/local level Chambers of Commerce DOL-DPH Associations, e.g. home builders Businesses, e.g. distributors, retailers, rental companies National 2-3 key general partners National associations, unions, government

33 Campaign Activities Produce and distribute materials Get the word out Promote, host, or sponsor events Assist with evaluation Reach out to new partners

34 Materials NIOSH-OSHA Cobranded Poster & Fact Sheet Checklists/infographs Videos Toolbox talks Spot-the-Hazard Cards Sticker Partner Toolkit Press kit

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36 Acknowledgements Michael Flynn Nura Sadeghpour Elizabeth Garza Josana Tonda Javier Diaz de Leon US-Mexico Border Health Commission Gudelia Rangel-Gomez Christine Branche Scott Schneider Janie Gittleman Pete Stafford Jim Maddux NORA Construction Sector Council Campaign Coordinating Committee

37 Questions? Pietra Check, MPH Deputy Director, Office of Agriculture Safety and Health Coordinator, Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing Program National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Washington, DC