Successful collaboration between occupational health service providers and client companies: Key factors

Abstract

Abstract. BACKGROUND: Occupational health services (OHS) are often described as an important resource to reduce work-related diseases and improve the workplace. OBJECTIVE: This paper identifies key factors for successful collaboration between Swedish OHS providers and their client companies. METHODS: Interviews were carried out with representatives of 15 companies and their OHS providers. The interviews were transcribed and their content analyzed. RESULTS:The results revealed that successful collaboration was highly correlated with six factors. First, the collaboration depends on both parties; "it takes two to tango". Second, the company and the OHS provider have a joint commitment to a longterm collaboration. Third, the collaboration is built on frequent contact at different organizational levels. Fourth, the company has a well-structured work environment for occupational health and safety management. Fifth, the OHS provider uses a consultative approach in its prevention and promotion activities. Finally, OHS providers seek to treat the company, not the individual. CONCLUSIONS: Our research indicates that a successful collaboration requires both occupational health and safety management (OHSM) within the company and the assistance of a competent OHS provider. A change toward more promotion and prevention services benefits the company, since the occupational health services are better tailored to the company's needs.

Ambiguity among Managers in Small-Scale Enterprises: How to Handle Business and Workplace Health Management

“…OHS was an important consultant partner and supervisor for educating managers and co-workers in health and issues related to working conditions. Research shows that collaboration between OHS and SSEs depends on a continuous dialogue and the willingness of OHS to adjust services flexibly to meet specific needs of their customers [37]. The fact that this health-promoting project created increased collaboration between OHS and the participating SSEs is interesting because both Norwegian and Swedish studies have found that OHS are mainly used for individual health examinations and employee health care [14,36].…”

“…A Swedish study showed that OHS providers did not develop a close relationship with their SSE clients [37]. Other research shows that OHS have problems in reaching out to SSEs in Norway as well as in Sweden [14].…”

Understanding the Challenges Facing Occupational Health Services in the Swedish Public Sector

“…There is a considerable risk that such circumstances contribute to insecurity about their independence among employees with a subsequent loss of confidence in the OHS provider. From this, it follows that OHS providers, when their only point of contact is the HR Department, also have limited access to actual workplaces and to local knowledge, experiences, activities, and discussions on health and safety (Schmidt et al, 2015).…”

“…Implementation and execution are necessary and the fact that well-established practices and routines in OHSM can be advantageous to a successful collaboration with an OHS provider has been identified in a study of OHS providers in the private sector (Schmidt et al, 2015). Even if the employer is free to organize and delegate the organization's OHSM, legislation is clear; where necessary, there is an obligation to use an independent OHS provider or other external resource (Swedish Work Environment Authority, 2001).…”

“…Such involvement requires a well-developed system at the workplace (Fedotov, 2005) and a successful development of this form of collaboration is more likely with frequent contact with the OHS provider at different levels in the organization (Schmidt et al, 2015).…”