Abstract
Objectives Studies identifying national occupational health (OH) research priorities have been conducted in several countries to establish where OH research should be focused and where funding should be targeted.
However, the UK findings are now over 20 years old, and OH practice is continuously evolving. The aim of this study was to identify current research priorities for UK occupational physicians (OPs) and occupational health
researchers (OHRs).
Methods C urrent research priorities in OH were identified using a modified Delphi technique. This was conducted in two rounds to achieve consensus.
Research priorities were rated, and then ranked using questionnaires developed from expert panel discussions, key research topics identified from the medical literature and participant feedback. Overall and intergroup comparisons were completed for the ranking scores.
Results C onsensus among OPs and OHRs was high with almost all (9/10) primary domains rated as ’very important’ or ’absolutely necessary’ by more
than 54% of respondents. The research priority areas ranked highest were jointly economic evaluation/cost effectiveness studies and disability management followed by occupational disease/injury/illness. Occupational health policy was ranked lowest after sickness absence management and health promotion. The secondary domain analysis identified priority emphasis on mental health and psychosocial hazards within the workplace and the need to further develop evidence-based guidance for clinical OH practice.
Conclusions We identified the current research priorities for UK OPs and OHRs. The findings will inform future national OH research strategy and support
research that addresses important knowledge gaps within OH and other interdisciplinary specialties.
However, the UK findings are now over 20 years old, and OH practice is continuously evolving. The aim of this study was to identify current research priorities for UK occupational physicians (OPs) and occupational health
researchers (OHRs).
Methods C urrent research priorities in OH were identified using a modified Delphi technique. This was conducted in two rounds to achieve consensus.
Research priorities were rated, and then ranked using questionnaires developed from expert panel discussions, key research topics identified from the medical literature and participant feedback. Overall and intergroup comparisons were completed for the ranking scores.
Results C onsensus among OPs and OHRs was high with almost all (9/10) primary domains rated as ’very important’ or ’absolutely necessary’ by more
than 54% of respondents. The research priority areas ranked highest were jointly economic evaluation/cost effectiveness studies and disability management followed by occupational disease/injury/illness. Occupational health policy was ranked lowest after sickness absence management and health promotion. The secondary domain analysis identified priority emphasis on mental health and psychosocial hazards within the workplace and the need to further develop evidence-based guidance for clinical OH practice.
Conclusions We identified the current research priorities for UK OPs and OHRs. The findings will inform future national OH research strategy and support
research that addresses important knowledge gaps within OH and other interdisciplinary specialties.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-7 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Occupational and Environmental Medicine |
| Early online date | 18 Aug 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
