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 is also a guest senior researcher with the National Research Centre for the Working Environment in Denmark and an assistant professor (status) in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. 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 work-related injuries, 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 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.
- Creating safe workplaces for newcomers. Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 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.
- ECHO PSP: Piloting the use of the ECHO model to promote recovery and return-to-work among public safety personnel in Ontario. Funded by Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Ongoing.
- Evidence-informed workplace policies and practices for the prevention of PTSI work disability. Funded by Government of Alberta. Ongoing. (PI on the project)
Publications
- Kennedy CA, Beaton DE, Smith PM, Van Eerd D, Tang K, Inrig T, Hogg-Johnson S, Linton D, Couban R. Measurement properties of the QuickDASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) outcome measure and cross-cultural adaptations of the QuickDASH: a systematic review. Quality of Life Research. 2013;22(9):2509-2547. doi:10.1007/s11136-013-0362-4.
- King T, Severin C, Van Eerd D, Ibrahim S, Cole DC, Amick B, Steenstra I. A pilot randomised control trial of the effectiveness of a biofeedback mouse in reducing self-reported pain among office workers. Ergonomics. 2013;56(1):59-68. doi:10.1080/00140139.2012.733735.
- Robson LS, Macdonald S, Gray GC, Van Eerd D, Bigelow P. A descriptive study of the OHS management auditing methods used by public sector organizations conducting audits of workplaces: implications for audit reliability and validity. Safety Science. 2012;50:181-189. doi:110.1016/j.ssci.2011.08.006.
- Irvin E, Greiner BA, Furlan AD, Montano C, Amick B, Van Eerd D, Mahood Q. Alcohol and drug screening of occupational drivers for preventing work-related injury. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012 CD010043-.
- Van Eerd D, Hogg-Johnson S, Cole DC, Wells R, Mazumder A. Comparison of occupational exposure methods relevant to musculoskeletal disorders: worker-workstation interaction in an office environment. Journal of Electromyography Kinesiology. 2012;22(2):176-185. doi:10.1016/j.jelekin.2011.12.001.
Speaker Series presentations
- Return to work in Ontario police services: Current experiences and practices. IWH Speaker Series. October 18, 2022.
- 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
- Police service members face challenges with accommodation, communication and trust when returning to work after an injury. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 113, Summer 2023.
- ‘A new way to move people.’ Fewer injuries for health-care workers, more comfort for patients. Healthy Debate. March 15, 2023. Available from: https://healthydebate.ca/2023/03/topic/robotics-back-injuries-healthcare-workers/
- MSD prevention should consider role of gender and psychosocial hazards too. Workers Health & Safety Centre. March 8, 2022. Available from: https://www.whsc.on.ca/What-s-new/News-Archive/MSD-prevention-should-consider-role-of-gender-and-psychosocial-hazards-too
- Employees, leaders differ on mental health supports. Canadian HR Reporter. February 16, 2022. Available from: https://www.hrreporter.com/focus-areas/training-and-development/employees-leaders-differ-on-mental-health-supports/364085
- Setting up a temporary home office. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 100, Spring 2020.