Work-related upper extremity disorders: one-year follow-up in an occupational diseases registry.

Purpose: To study the course and consequences of work-related upper extremity disorders in the registry of the Netherlands Centre for Occupational Diseases (NCvB).

Methods: A follow-up study was performed in a sample of consecutive cases of work-related upper extremity disorders notified to the NCvB. Perceived severity was measured with VAS (0-100), quality of life with VAS (0-100) and SF-36, functional impairment with DASH and sickness absence with a questionnaire.

Sentinel surveillance of occupational diseases: a quality improvement project.

Background: Occupational diseases are generally underreported. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a sentinel surveillance project comprising motivated and guided occupational physicians would provide higher quality information than a national registry for a policy to prevent occupational diseases.

Methods: A group of 45 occupational physicians participated in a sentinel surveillance project for two years.

The effectiveness of an educational programme on occupational disease reporting.

Background: Occupational diseases are under reported. Targeted education of occupational physicians (OPs) may improve their rate of reporting occupational diseases.

Aim: To study the effectiveness of an active multifaceted workshop aimed at improving OPs' reporting of occupational diseases.

Evaluation of an occupational health intervention programme on whole-body vibration in forklift truck drivers: a controlled trial.

Objectives: To evaluate process and outcome of a multifaceted occupational health intervention programme on whole-body vibration (WBV) in forklift truck drivers.

Methods: An experimental pretest/post-test control group study design. The authors trained occupational health services (OHS) in the experimental group in the use of the programme.

Evaluation research in occupational health services: general principles and a systematic review of empirical studies.

Objectives: To study the nature and extent of evaluation research in occupational health services (OHSs).

Methods: Literature review of evaluation research in OHSs. On the basis of a conceptual model of OHS evaluation, empirical studies are categorised into aspects of input, process, output, outcome, and OHS core activities.

Validity of a diary estimating exposure to tasks, activities, and postures of the trunk.

The validity of a diary that estimates exposure to tasks, activities, and postures of the trunk was determined by comparing these self-reported exposure data with observational data of a whole working day. Two populations were studied: 32 professional drivers and five nurses. The nurses and 16 drivers also filled out a shortened version of the diary during another working day.