Co-operation in the prevention of work disability due to musculoskeletal disorders: A cross-sectional study among occupational health professionals in Finland.

Abstract

Occupational health service (OHS) providers and their client organizations are obligated to collaborate in promoting health and work ability. Little is known how this multiprofessional co-operation is implemented in relation to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The aim of this study was to investigate the working practices of co-operation among OHS professionals, and between the OHSs and workplaces. In 2015 a web-based questionnaire was sent to 3900 OHS professionals in Finland. A total of 589 responded: 106 physicians, 322 nurses, 134 physiotherapists and 27 psychologists. The co-operation within OHS personnel was regarded to strengthen the processes to promote work ability of workers with MSD. Despite the positive expectations of co-operation, there is a problem of having enough time to put good ideas into practice. Four main possibilities to develop co-operation were identified: creating proactive working models with defined roles; increasing awareness of importance of early intervention models; implementing the principles of good OH practice; and adopting the knowledge of the latest information to promote work ability. Despite its recognized importance, co-operation both with OHS colleagues and with the workplaces was not always optimal. There is a need for defined roles and common proactive working models between each stakeholder for more effective co-operation.