Occupational Epidemiology
The research programme ‘Occupational Epidemiology’ examines the mutual relationships between work and health. Using an epidemiological approach, risk factors in the aetiology and natural course of health complaints / diseases in relation to work are determined and the effect of interventions to improve workers’ health is assessed. Risk factors may originate from the work environment (psychosocial, chemical, biological, and physical factors), the social environment (including family life), and individual characteristics (including health). The goal of the research programme is to expand the knowledge on health in relation to work. Based on this knowledge, evidence-based tools and strategies for prevention, treatment and socio-medical counselling of employees are developed. In this way, the programme contributes to the improvement of health and well being of the working population. Within the programme two main research lines exist:
Etiological and prognostic research on psychosocial work environment and (mental) health
This research line focuses on the relation between the psychosocial work environment and workers’ health and well being. The research group initiated and conducted the Maastricht Cohort Study (MCS). The MCS is a large scale prospective cohort study in which a heterogeneous population of employees (n=12,140 at baseline measurement) from 45 different companies in the Netherlands are surveyed. Employees were followed from 1998 to 2002 by means of 10 self-administered questionnaires. Additionally, data on certified sickness absence were gathered. Within the MCS the aetiology and natural course of fatigue and mental health complaints are studied. 8 PhD projects have already been successfully carried out.
In the MCS, only short term and midterm (health) effects of the psychosocial work environment can be studied. The original MCS was extended in 2008, to provide for a follow-up, known as MCS2, in order to determine long-term health effects of the psychosocial work environment in terms of morbidity and mortality, and to gain insight into the role of health on labour participation of employees in different stages of life. At present, 3 PhD projects are partially, or fully, making use of the MCS infrastructure.
Research on early intervention for workers at increased risk for sickness absence
Based on data of the MCS, a screening questionnaire (the Balansmeter) has been developed to identify workers at increased risk for future sick leave. The development and validation of the instrument was done in close cooperation with the occupational health service, BETER. The Balansmeter enables a preventive strategy in which employees at increased risk for future sick leave receive early treatment and socio-medical counselling. In a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) it was demonstrated that early intervention among employees identified by the Balansmeter was successful in reducing sickness absence. In an ongoing PhD project, the efficacy of a more focused preventive strategy is being evaluated in a RCT. In this preventive strategy, screening and early intervention are focused on workers at high risk for future sick leave and mild depressive complaints.
In another ongoing PhD project, the screening process of workers at risk for future sick leave and early intervention are being evaluated from an epidemiological, medical and ethical perspective.