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Thursday, March 22, 2012: 14:55
Coba (Cancun Center)
Martijn D.F. Rhebergen, Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam/university Of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Introduction:
It is unknown whether workers can find correct, evidence-based answers to Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) questions. Aim of this study was to compare the rate of correct answers in a group of workers who use an online network of OSH experts (Intervention group) with a group of workers who use common information facilities (Control group).
Methods:
We designed a quasi-experimental study. Workers in the intervention and the control group were randomly offered two questions from a pool of 16 standardized OSH-questions. To assess answer correctness as the main outcome, 16 standardized correct model answers were constructed with the help of reviewers who performed literature searches. Answers provided by participants in intervention (N = 94 answers) and control group (N = 124 answers) were blinded and compared with correct model answers on the degree of correctness.
Results:
Of the answers in the intervention group, 62% were correct, compared to 19% in the control group, who generally used information websites found through Google. This difference was found to be significant (RR = 3.2; 95% CI = 2.2 – 4.7; RD = 43%; 95% CI = 30% – 54%). Subgroup analysis showed that the rate of correct main conclusions of the answers was 90% in the intervention group and 61% in the control group (RR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.3 – 1.8; RD = 31%; 95% CI = 19% – 40%). Remarkably, most workers who provided incorrect answers believed information they found as credible, complete and applicable.
Conclusions:
We conclude that workers are often unable to find correct answers to OSH questions when using common information facilities. Because workers frequently misjudge the quality of information they find, other strategies are needed to assist workers in answering OSH questions correctly. Expert advice provided through an online expert network can be effective.
It is unknown whether workers can find correct, evidence-based answers to Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) questions. Aim of this study was to compare the rate of correct answers in a group of workers who use an online network of OSH experts (Intervention group) with a group of workers who use common information facilities (Control group).
Methods:
We designed a quasi-experimental study. Workers in the intervention and the control group were randomly offered two questions from a pool of 16 standardized OSH-questions. To assess answer correctness as the main outcome, 16 standardized correct model answers were constructed with the help of reviewers who performed literature searches. Answers provided by participants in intervention (N = 94 answers) and control group (N = 124 answers) were blinded and compared with correct model answers on the degree of correctness.
Results:
Of the answers in the intervention group, 62% were correct, compared to 19% in the control group, who generally used information websites found through Google. This difference was found to be significant (RR = 3.2; 95% CI = 2.2 – 4.7; RD = 43%; 95% CI = 30% – 54%). Subgroup analysis showed that the rate of correct main conclusions of the answers was 90% in the intervention group and 61% in the control group (RR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.3 – 1.8; RD = 31%; 95% CI = 19% – 40%). Remarkably, most workers who provided incorrect answers believed information they found as credible, complete and applicable.
Conclusions:
We conclude that workers are often unable to find correct answers to OSH questions when using common information facilities. Because workers frequently misjudge the quality of information they find, other strategies are needed to assist workers in answering OSH questions correctly. Expert advice provided through an online expert network can be effective.