Overview
Keywords: MSD education; musculoskeletal injury prevention; transfer of training; worker learning; workplace safety
Timeline: June 2015 - present
Researchers: David Frost (Principal investigator, University of Toronto), Tyson Beach (University of Toronto), Guy Faulkner (University of Toronto), Catherine Sabiston (University of Toronto)
Funder: CRE-MSD
Project type: Seed grant
Partner: Toronto Fire Services
Sector/Workplace type: All
Themes:
Theme
4
Interventions
Theme
5
Implementation
Background/rationale
Given that education-based musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention programs are relatively low-cost, practical, and scalable to a variety of populations/occupations, efforts to enhance their effectiveness could significantly impact the frequency and severity of work-related MSDs. The influence of teaching in education-based MSD programs has been examined, but consideration is rarely given to whether learning has occurred. Results of this research will help researchers and health and safety professionals to better understand the relationships between workers’ motivation, attitudes, and expectations, and their acquisition, retention, and transfer of knowledge and skills. With this information, education-based MSD prevention initiatives could be more effective.
Research question/objectives/methods
The primary objective of this proposed project is to explore the relationship between employees’ work motivation (intrinsic or extrinsic) and the extent to which they engage with and learn from an MSD prevention-oriented training workshop. We expect to uncover knowledge that can be used to improve the design and utility of future workplace interventions.
The specific questions that will be addressed are:
- Is there a relationship between employees’ workplace motivation and the acquisition and retention of knowledge and skills (i.e. learning) that could contribute to MSD prevention?
- Is there a relationship between employees’ perceived organizational support and the acquisition and retention of knowledge and skills?
- Is there a relationship between employees’ perception of training quality and the acquisition and retention of knowledge and skills?
These questions will be addressed through a combination of correlation analyses and linear regression models (controlling for participant characteristics such as sex, age and sociodemographics) using data collected with psychometrically sound surveys.
Key findings
In progress
Implications for the prevention of MSD
The expected outcomes will be an understanding of relationships between workers’ motivation to perform their job, and the extent to which they engage with and learn from an MSD prevention-oriented training workshop. We will identify the factors most strongly associated with learning and retention. In turn, this will inform future interventions seeking to modify those factors (e.g. motivation) to improve learning.
Knowledge dissemination
In progress