Steel JS, Luyten J, Godderis L. Development and validation of an occupational health triage tool.
Occup Med (Lond) 2021;
71:260-269. [PMID:
34415350 DOI:
10.1093/occmed/kqab101]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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.
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