How to design, implement and evaluate organizational interventions for maximum impact: the Sigtuna Principles

Research on organizational interventions needs to meet the objectives of both researchers and participating organizations. This duality means that real-world impact has to be considered throughout the research process, simultaneously addressing both scientific rigour and practical relevance. This discussion paper aims to offer a set of principles, grounded in knowledge from various disciplines that can guide researchers in designing, implementing, and evaluating organizational interventions. Inspired by Mode 2 knowledge production, the principles were developed through a transdisciplinary, participatory and iterative process where practitioners and academics were invited to develop, refine and validate the principles. The process resulted in 10 principles: 1) Ensure active engagement and participation among key stakeholders; 2) Understand the situation (starting points and objectives); 3) Align the intervention with existing organizational objectives; 4) Explicate the program logic; 5) Prioritize intervention activities based on effort-gain balance; 6) Work with existing practices, processes, and mindsets; 7) Iteratively observe, reflect, and adapt; 8) Develop organizational learning capabilities; 9) Evaluate the interaction between intervention, process, and context; and 10) Transfer knowledge beyond the specific organization. The principles suggest how the design, implementation, and evaluation of organizational interventions can be researched in a way that maximizes both practical and scientific impact.

Descriptive epidemiology of domain-specific sitting in working adults: the Stormont Study

BACKGROUND

Given links between sedentary behaviour and unfavourable health outcomes, there is a need to understand the influence of socio-demographic factors on sedentary behaviour to inform effective interventions. This study examined domain-specific sitting times reported across socio-demographic groups of office workers.

METHODS

The analyses are cross-sectional and based on a survey conducted within the Stormont Study, which is tracking employees in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Participants self-reported their daily sitting times across multiple domains (work, TV, travel, PC use and leisure) on workdays and non-workdays, along with their physical activity and socio-demographic variables (sex, age, marital status, BMI, educational attainment and work pattern). Total and domain-specific sitting on workdays and non-workdays were compared across socio-demographic groups using multivariate analyses of covariance.

RESULTS

Completed responses were obtained from 4436 participants. For the whole sample, total daily sitting times were higher on workdays in comparison to non-workdays (625 ± 168 versus 469 ± 210 min/day, P < 0.001). On workdays and non-workdays, higher sitting times were reported by individuals aged 18-29 years, obese individuals, full-time workers and single/divorced/widowed individuals (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions are needed to combat the high levels of sedentary behaviour observed in office workers, particularly among the highlighted demographic groups. Interventions should target workplace and leisure-time sitting.

Profiles and Predictor of Pesticide and Metal Mixtures in Urine Among Solar Greenhouse Workers: Findings From the Measures of Environment and the Health Outcomes Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure profiles and predictors for solar greenhouse workers to chemical mixtures.

METHODS

Two hundred eighty-one solar greenhouse workers in China were included in this study. Six pesticides and 14 metals in urine were determined using chromatography-mass spectrometry. Pearson correlation, k-means clustering, and principal component analysis were used.

RESULTS

The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that the correlation between similar chemicals was stronger than that between different types of chemicals. The k-means clustering showed that the female workers and multiple greenhouse workers had significantly higher chemical concentrations. The principal component analysis results showed that six principal components explain over 50% of the data variance, each dominated by specific chemicals.

CONCLUSION

This study provided important insights into the exposure characteristics and predictive factors of chemical mixtures among solar greenhouse workers.

Evaluating the Effect of Supported Systematic Work Environment Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND

The work environment is a complex phenomenon in which many factors interact. Scientific research indicates a relation between the work environment and employee health, staff turnover, patient satisfaction, and patient safety. There is a great need for knowledge on how to conduct work environment interventions and practical work environment management to maximize benefits to the employees.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to explore how Occupational Health Service (OHS) support will affect the work environment, sick leave, staff turnover, patient satisfaction, and patient safety during and following the COVID-19 pandemic in a medical ward setting.

METHODS

A mixed methods evaluation of a concurrent work environment quality improvement project at the Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics in a local hospital in the south of Sweden will be performed.

RESULTS

The mixed methods evaluation of the quality improvement project received funding from Futurum-Academy for Health and Care, Jönköping County Council and Region Jönköping County, and the study protocol was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. The work environment quality improvement project will continue between May 2020 and December 2021.

CONCLUSIONS

The study might contribute to increased knowledge of how work environment interventions and practical work environment management can impact the work environment, and employee health, staff turnover, patient satisfaction, and patient safety. There is a need for knowledge in this area for OHS management to provide increased benefits to employees, employers, and society as a whole.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/34152.