Breaking new ground by creating a picture of Occupational Health provision in the UK

To address the lack of existing evidence, the study began with a series of ‘expert interviews’, with individuals in the sector who knew something of its history and characteristics. Each expert researchers spoke to was able to recommend further literature sources or people to speak with, which made the initial scoping activity much more focused. It also reassured us that published evidence was indeed scarce.

Working closely with the WHU and stakeholders, IFF researchers scoped out questionnaires that could capture better information about what UK OH and MSK provision looked like. Cognitive testing with OH providers made sure this questionnaire was on-point, and then this was used to conduct a couple of ‘attempted census’ surveys of the UK’s private OH providers, NHS OH departments and MSC leads in Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). The lack of an authoritative database of providers was dealt with using desk-based research to assemble a starting sample by blending contact details in the public domain, lists of members of OH sector organisations, and commercially-bought sample. Then, to bring the findings to life, case studies were conducted with OH providers, employers they work with and individual employees and line managers – creating a picture of how the provider, employer and employee interact to manage an individual’s health condition.