Dr. Dwayne Van Eerd
Dr. Dwayne Van Eerd is a scientist at the Institute for Work & Health, where he has been a researcher since 1997. He has an MSc and BSc in kinesiology from the University of Waterloo, an MSc in health research methodology from McMaster University, and a PhD in work and health from the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo.
Upon getting his MSc in kinesiology, Van Eerd got his start in occupational health and safety research in a clinical setting, studying musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the upper body in musicians, painters, writers and other artists. Now a scientist with the Institute for Work & Health, he focuses primarily on the prevention of MSDs, as well as on the implementation of programs and practices to prevent work injury and disability related to physical and mental health.
His research projects include evaluations of participatory ergonomics interventions, evaluations of workplace MSD and mental health practices/programs and their implementation, and systematic reviews of the prevention literature. Van Eerd also practices and researches integrated knowledge transfer and exchange.
“As a kinesiologist specializing in the multidisciplinary treatment of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) for a variety of clients, including performing artists, I felt an evidence-based approach was important. But I was consistently frustrated by the lack of good quality research to help guide my practice. Coming from a strong science program enabled me to pursue small research projects in the clinical setting, which led me to look for more research opportunities—and ultimately, to IWH.” – Dr. Dwayne Van Eerd
Projects
- Accommodating and Communicating about Episodic Disabilities (ACED): A partnership to deliver workplace resources to sustain employment of people with chronic, episodic conditions. Funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada Signature Initiative. Ongoing.
- Developing a Canadian work disability standard for paramedics with post-traumatic stress injury. Funded by Commissioned by The County of Renfrew with funding from Defence Research and Development Canada, Centre for Security Science (DRDC CSS) under Canadian Safety and Security Program (CSSP). Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of DRDC CSS/CSSP. . Ongoing.
- Return to work in policing: synthesizing current practices and implementation guidance. Funded by Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario. Ongoing. (PI on the project)
- Transitioning to the future of work: supporting vulnerable youth and young adults in the changing labour market . Funded by Accessibility Standards Canada (Government of Canada); Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Insight Development Grant; Tri-Agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC). Ongoing.
- Developing recommendations for an integrated approach to workplace health protection and health promotion. Funded by Alberta OHS Future. Completed.
Publications
- Van Eerd D, D'Elia T, Ferron EM, Robson LS, Amick B. Implementation of participatory organizational change in long term care to improve safety. Journal of Safety Research. 2021;78:9-18. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2021.05.002.
- Brandt M, Wilstrup NM, Jakobsen MD, Van Eerd D, Andersen LL, Ajslev JZN. Engaging occupational safety and health professionals in bridging research and practice: evaluation of a participatory workshop program in the Danish construction industry. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021;18(16):8498. doi:10.3390/ijerph18168498.
- Van Eerd D, Cullen KL, Irvin E, Le Pouésard M, Gignac MA. Support for depression in the workplace: perspectives of employees, managers, and OHS personnel. Occupational Health Science. 2021 [epub ahead of print]. doi:10.1007/s41542-021-00090-9.
- Gignac MA, Bowring J, Jetha A, Beaton DE, Breslin FC, Franche RL, Irvin E, MacDermid JC, Shaw WS, Smith PM, Thompson A, Tompa E, Van Eerd D, Saunders R. Disclosure, privacy and workplace accommodation of episodic disabilities: organizational perspectives on disability communication-support processes to sustain employment. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2021;31(1):153-165. doi:10.1007/s10926-020-09901-2.
- Van Eerd D, Irvin E, Harbin S, Mahood Q, Tiong M. Occupational exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder: a rapid review. Work. 2021;68(3):721-731. doi:10.3233/WOR-203406.
Speaker Series presentations
- Systematic review of workplace interventions to manage depression. IWH Speaker Series. January 30, 2018.
- Perspectives on using occupational health and safety research. IWH Speaker Series. February 17, 2015.
Interviews and articles
- Setting up a temporary home office. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 100, Spring 2020.
- Construction safety association develops OHS assessment tool with IWH’s expertise . At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 97, Summer 2019.
- Implications of an aging workforce for work injury, recovery, returning to work and remaining at work. OOHNA Journal. April 10, 2019. Available from: https://www.iwh.on.ca/sites/iwh/files/oohna_journal_fw_2019_agingrtw.pdf
- Work-focused CBT can help depressed employees remain on the job. Benefits Canada. May 4, 2018. Available from: http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/work-focused-cbt-can-help-depressed-employees-remain-on-the-job-114005
- IWH’s new guide on supporting workers with depression integrates research with practice. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 92, Spring 2018.