Participatory problem-solution methods in use of Occupational Health Service (OHS)

Introduction
Recent studies show that psycho-social factors affect the well-being of employees and the amount of sickness absences and early retirement. Traditionally OHS has worked more with the physical factors in work places. Changes in work life have made the psycho-social factors more important. Widening the OHS practice to concern these factors has been seen necessary.

Methods
The aim of this study was to answer the following questions; 1) Are the participatory problem-solution methods functional in use of OHS? 2) What kind of results can be achieved through these kinds of short interventions?
Eleven OHS-units carried out a problem solution process in their client enterprises supported by a research-group of FIOH. They worked with selected representatives of work communities 4-5 times about 3 hours at a time. The qualitative data were collected from this process; plans, assignments, interviews, research-diary notes. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Results
OHS worked with representatives of work-communities using group working, giving information, supporting to organize work and developing meeting practice, cooperation rules, early support practice and competence maintenance system. They achieved results concerning organisation of work, clarifying the areas of responsibilities, communication, strengthening development of organisation and competence and motivation of employees. Also sickness absences decreased in many cases. All results were not achieved during the process but were caused by the activation of work communities and better cooperation skills of employees in longer term.

Discussion
Using problem-solution methods in dialogical cooperation with representatives of work communities, OHS can activate many positive processes which lead to better psycho-social conditions. It seems that employees´possibility to affect their work, improves their wellbeing. This means that we must strengthen skills of OHS in order to work with work communities based to needs they have self identified.