Implementation of preventive tasks by occupational physicians
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN15394765 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15394765 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | VPZ-572 |
- Submission date
- 27/06/2023
- Registration date
- 28/06/2023
- Last edited
- 08/07/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Work-related mental health problems are a major and growing public and occupational health issue. This underlines the need for prevention, in which occupational physicians (OPs) have a key role. However, although the prevention of work-related disease and sick leave has become a central task in the work of occupational physicians in the Netherlands, the implementation of preventive tasks can still improve. The aim of this study is the evaluate the effectiveness and process of implementation of a peer coaching group intervention for the implementation of preventive tasks by occupational physicians.
Who can participate?
The study population consists of occupational physicians and will be recruited in two steps. First, the researchers will recruit peer groups via the Netherlands Society of Occupational Medicine. Second, they will recruit individual OPs within each participating peer group and ask whether they want to participate in the evaluation. OPs will be excluded from participating in this evaluation when: 1. They have an upcoming retirement or long-term leave (e.g. pregnancy leave) during the follow-up of this study (i.e. 12 months), or 2. They work fewer than 16 hours per week as an OP.
What does the study involve?
For the implementation of the intervention, the researchers will use the existing peer groups. Within a period of 6 months, three meetings will be organized with a total of approximately five working hours, in which prevention is the central topic. The chair of each of the intervention groups will be trained and guided in facilitation during the course of the intervention. OPs will be provided with materials, which include information about work-related mental health problems and ideas about how to incorporate preventive tasks more in their daily practice. Making use of the materials and following different steps, OPs will formulate their own goals with regard to the execution of preventive tasks targeting work-related (mental) health problems to be achieved during the course of the intervention. Advice and input from fellow OPs play an important role in formulating the goals.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Occupational physicians in the intervention group can benefit from the peer support group intervention, as it is expected to support them in their execution of preventive tasks. More knowledge and awareness of the value of prevention among OPs can ultimately also lead to more knowledge and awareness among employers and employees about work-related (mental) health problems and preventive measures. It is therefore anticipated that better implementation of preventive tasks by OPs will lead to reduced numbers of work-related (mental) health problems and to both organizational and individual gains. For OPs, better execution of preventive tasks might not only make the work more varied and attractive but may also lead to more job satisfaction.
No risks are associated with the intervention.
Where is the study run from?
The study is run by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment; Center for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Care Services (Netherlands)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2022 to September 2024
Who is funding this study?
This study is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (Netherlands). The funder has no role in the study in terms of the design, data collection, analysis and interpretation.
Who is the main contact?
Prof. Dr Karin Proper, karin.proper@rivm.nl
Contact information
Scientific
Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9
Bilthoven
3721 MA
Netherlands
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-7623-9497 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +31 (0)621546262 |
| suzanne.pees@rivm.nl |
Study information
| Study design | Interventional two-armed cluster randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Cluster randomised trial |
| Study setting(s) | Workplace |
| Study type | Prevention |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | IMplementation and evaluation of a peer coaching group intervention to promote the uptake of PReventive tasks by Occupational Physicians (IM-PROmPt) |
| Study acronym | IM-PROmPt |
| Study objectives | Current study hypothesis as of 06/11/2024: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and process of implementation of a peer coaching group intervention for occupational physicians (OPs) directed to the execution of preventive tasks by occupational physicians. It is hypothesized that the intervention will lead to an increase in the number of hours spent on preventive tasks by occupational physicians (primary outcome). Moreover, it is hypothesized that the intervention will improve the attitude, social influence and self-efficacy of occupational physicians with regard to prevention. In addition, it is hypothesized a decrease in the barriers experienced by occupational physicians in their execution of preventive tasks (secondary outcomes). Last, it is hypothesized that the intervention will improve work experiences and work satisfaction of occupational physicians (secondary outcomes). Previous study hypothesis: The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and process of implementation of a peer support group intervention for occupational physicians (OPs) directed to the execution of preventive tasks by occupational physicians. It is hypothesized that the intervention will lead to an increase in the number of hours spent on preventive tasks by occupational physicians (primary outcome). Moreover, it is hypothesized that the intervention will improve the attitude, social influence and self-efficacy of occupational physicians with regard to prevention. In addition, it is hypothesized a decrease in the barriers experienced by occupational physicians in their execution of preventive tasks (secondary outcomes). Last, it is hypothesized that the intervention will improve work experiences and work satisfaction of occupational physicians (secondary outcomes). |
| Ethics approval(s) | Ethics approval not required |
| Ethics approval additional information | This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Review Committee of the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, the Netherlands (W22_415). The Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO) does not apply to the above mentioned study. |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | The execution of preventive tasks by occupational physicians, targeting work-related (mental) health problems |
| Intervention | Current interventions as of 06/11/2024: After each OP has given their written informed consent for participating in the evaluation and has filled in the baseline questionnaire (T0), randomization will take place at the level of the peer groups. Participating groups of OPs will be randomly assigned to: 1. The peer group supervision plan directed to the implementation of preventive tasks targeting work-related mental health problems (intervention groups). Within a period of 6 months, three meetings will be organized with a total of approximately five working hours, in which prevention is the central topic. The chair of each of the intervention groups will be trained and guided in facilitation during the course of the intervention. 2. The usual peer coaching condition (control groups). The control groups will be put on a waiting list and receive the developed materials after the 12 months follow-up of this study. To avoid bias, the randomization process will be executed by two independent researchers. Researcher 1 will assign consecutive numbers to each participating peer group. A computer-generated randomization will then be performed by researcher 2, in order to assign each number to either the intervention or control group. This way, allocation to either one of the groups cannot be influenced. Because of the intervention, blinding for allocation on the level of the participant (OP) is not possible. However, researchers will be blinded during data collection and analysis. Previous interventions: After each OP has given their written informed consent for participating in the evaluation and has filled in the baseline questionnaire (T0), randomization will take place at the level of the peer group supervision groups. Participating groups of OPs will be randomly assigned to: 1. The peer group supervision plan directed to the implementation of preventive tasks targeting work-related mental health problems (intervention groups). Within a period of 6 months, three meetings will be organized with a total of approximately five working hours, in which prevention of mental health problems is the central topic. The chair of each of the intervention groups will be trained and guided in facilitation during the course of the intervention. 2. The usual peer group supervision condition (control groups). The control groups will be put on a waiting list and receive the peer group supervision materials after the 12 months follow-up of this study. To avoid bias, the randomization process will be executed by two independent researchers. Researcher 1 will assign consecutive numbers to each participating peer group supervision group. A computer-generated randomization will then be performed by researcher 2, in order to assign each number to either the intervention or control group. This way, allocation to either one of the groups cannot be influenced. Because of the intervention, blinding for allocation on the level of the participant (OP) is not possible. However, researchers will be blinded during data collection and analysis. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure | Current primary outcome measure as of 06/11/2024: The primary outcome is the execution of preventive tasks aimed at the prevention of work-related mental health problems. This will be assessed by means of the self-reported number of hours spent on different preventive tasks, and the self-reported percentage of time spent on prevention, absence and reintegration guidance, and other tasks (e.g. teaching responsibilities). Moreover, OPs will be asked if they would like to spend more time on prevention (ranging from “no, less time” to “yes, considerably more time”). If OPs want to spend more time on prevention, they will be additionally asked on what specific tasks (e.g. open consultation hour, advising about occupational health policy). All outcomes will be measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Previous primary outcome measure: The primary outcome is the execution of preventive tasks aimed at the prevention of work-related mental health problems. This will be assessed by means of the self-reported number of hours spent on each of these tasks, and the self-reported percentage of time spent on prevention, absence and reintegration guidance, and other tasks (e.g. teaching responsibilities). Moreover, OPs will be asked if they would like to spend more time on prevention (ranging from “no, less time” to “yes, considerably more time”). If OPs want to spend more time on prevention, they will be additionally asked on what specific tasks (e.g. open consultation hour, advising about occupational health policy). All outcomes will be measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. The attitude, social influence and self-efficacy of OPs (ASE) assessed with the Measurement Instrument for Determinants of Innovations (MIDI) 2. Perceived barriers for the execution of preventive tasks assessed using the MIDI 3. OPs’ own work experience, such as the work rate and quantity, variety in work and work satisfaction, determined using the validated Dutch questionnaire Vragenlijst Beleving en Beoordeling van de Arbeid (VBBA) All outcomes will be measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Data on potential confounders will be collected by questionnaire, including: 1. Individual characteristics of the OPs: age, working hours per week, number of years of work experience, being self-employed 2. Organizational characteristics: sector, and if they are working for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) or larger organizations |
| Overall study start date | 01/01/2022 |
| Completion date | 30/09/2024 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Health professional |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 20 clusters with approximately 8 participants in each cluster |
| Key inclusion criteria | Current participant inclusion criteria as of 06/11/2024: Participants were included if : 1. They were registered as occupational physician or physician in training to become specialist 2. They participated in one (or more) peer coaching group 3. They worked more than 16 hours per week as an OP (hours dedicated to e.g. research, education or policy excluded) Previous participant inclusion criteria: Participants were included if : 1. They were registered as occupational physician or physician in training to become specialist 2. They participated in one (or more) peer group supervision groups 3. They worked more than 16 hours per week as an OP (hours dedicated to e.g. research, education or policy excluded) |
| Key exclusion criteria | Occupational physicians were excluded from participation if: 1. They had an upcoming retirement or long-term leave (e.g. pregnancy leave) during the follow-up of this study (i.e. 12 months) 2. They worked fewer than 16 hours per week as an OP (hours dedicated to e.g. research, education or policy excluded). 3. They were not part of any peer support group |
| Date of first enrolment | 10/05/2023 |
| Date of final enrolment | 07/07/2023 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Netherlands
Study participating centre
Utrecht
3500 GC
Netherlands
Sponsor information
Research organisation
Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9
Bilthoven
3721 MA
Netherlands
| Phone | +31 (0)88 689 8989 |
|---|---|
| info@rivm.nl | |
| Website | http://www.rivm.nl/en/ |
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/01cesdt21 |
Funders
Funder type
Government
Government organisation / National government
- Alternative name(s)
- Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, SZW
- Location
- Netherlands
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 31/12/2025 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Planned publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals: 1. Effect evaluation 2. Process evaluation |
| IPD sharing plan | The data-sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol article | 07/10/2023 | 10/10/2023 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | 30/05/2025 | 04/06/2025 | Yes | No |
Editorial Notes
08/07/2025: The completion date was changed from 01/07/2025 to 30/09/2024.
04/06/2025: Publication reference added.
06/11/2024: The following changes were made:
1. The scientific title was changed from "IMplementation and evaluation of a peer support group intervention to promote the uptake of PReventive tasks by Occupational Physicians targeting work-related mental health problems (IM-PROmPt)".
2. The wording of the study hypothesis, interventions, primary outcome measure, participant inclusion criteria and plain English summary were amended.
10/10/2023: Publication reference added.
28/06/2023: Study's existence confirmed by the Medical Ethics Review Committee of the Amsterdam Medical Centre.
