Long-term effects of an occupational health guideline on employees' body weight-related outcomes, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and quality of life: results from a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a draft occupational health guideline, aimed at preventing weight gain, on employees' body weight-related outcomes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, and quality of life.

Methods: In a cluster randomized controlled trial including 16 occupational physicians (OP) and 523 employees, guideline-based care was compared to usual care by OP between 2009-2011 in the Netherlands. Guideline-based care consisted of (i) providing advice to employers on how to assess and intervene on the obesogenic work environment, (ii) conducting five face-to-face behavioral change counseling sessions with employees to improve their lifestyles, and (iii) evaluating the outcome and maintaining sections i and ii.

Barriers and facilitators to implementation of an occupational health guideline aimed at preventing weight gain among employees in the Netherlands.

Objective: To assess barriers and facilitators to implementation of an occupational health guideline aimed at preventing weight gain.

Methods: Barriers and facilitators to implementation were assessed among 14 occupational physicians (OPs) and employers and analyzed following a systematic approach using Atlas.ti.

Registration of work-related diseases, injuries, and complaints in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of work-related diseases, injuries, and complaints in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao and to identify some next steps in the prevention process.

Methods: All of the three countries' 18 occupational health specialists were asked to participate; 100% agreed to report all work-related diseases, injuries, and complaints in 2004-2008. A standard online notification form was used to register cases in a database maintained by the Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases (NCOD).

The application of an occupational health guideline reduces sedentary behaviour and increases fruit intake at work: results from an RCT.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a draft occupational health practice guideline aimed at preventing weight gain on employees' physical activity, sedentary behaviour and dietary behaviour and on body weight-related outcomes.

Methods: A randomised controlled trial was performed comparing guideline-based care to usual care among 16 occupational physicians and 523 employees in the Netherlands between 2009 and 2011. Occupational physicians in the intervention group followed the draft guideline by providing advice to employers on how to assess and intervene on the obesogenic work environment and conducted five face-to-face behavioural change counselling sessions with employees to improve their lifestyle.

[Interdisciplinary cooperation in occupational health: ethical friction].

Objective: To investigate which ethical considerations play a role in the assessment of absenteeism due to sickness and of disability, and how these are dealt with.

Design: Qualitative, exploratory study.

Method: We conducted interviews with 32 individual professional practitioners: 8 occupational health physicians, 8 insurance company physicians, 8 general practitioners, and 8 psychologists, with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire.

Activities of occupational physicians for occupational health services in small-scale enterprises in Japan and in the Netherlands.

Objectives: Occupational health service (OHS) for small-scale enterprises (SSEs) is still limited in many countries. Both Japan and the Netherlands have universal OHS systems for all employees. The objective of this survey was to examine the activities of occupational physicians (OPs) in the two countries for SSEs and to investigate their proposals for the improvement of service.

Design of the Balance@Work project: systematic development, evaluation and implementation of an occupational health guideline aimed at the prevention of weight gain among employees.

Background: Occupational health professionals may play an important role in preventive health promotion activities for employees. However, due to a lack of knowledge and evidence- and practice based methods and strategies, interventions are hardly being implemented by occupational physicians to date. The aim of the Balance@Work project is to develop, evaluate, and implement an occupational health guideline aimed at the prevention of weight gain among employees.

The effects of a joint vocational training programme for general practitioner and occupational health trainees.

Background: General practitioners (GPs) and occupational health physicians (OHPs) would like to improve their collaboration. This could be achieved through a joint vocational training programme.

Objective: To assess the social-psychological effects of a joint training programme for GP and OHP trainees for the improvement of interprofessional collaboration.

Certification and quality assurance in Dutch occupational health services.

Since 1994, each Dutch enterprise has to be affiliated to an independent occupational health service (OHS), recognized by the government. In addition, each enterprise has to be supported by this occupational health service in its activities for the improvement of working conditions, and in the guidance of employees absent from work. From 1994 to 1998, the government was carrying out the certification and recognition of occupational health services.