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.
Van Eerd's research focuses on the prevention of work-related injuries and work disability, as well as on the implementation of workplace programs and practices. His research projects include evaluations of workplace musculoskeletal disorders and mental health practices/programs and their implementation, and evidence syntheses 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
- Synthesizing and tailoring OHS knowledge for use in specific provincial and local contexts. Funded by Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba's Workplace Research and Innovation Program. Completed.
- Effective workplace interventions to prevent upper extremity disorders: a systematic review update. Funded by Ontario Ministry of Labour. Completed. (PI on the project)
- Measuring the impact of an organizational change initiative to reduce work disability in an acute-care hospital. Funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Completed.
- Quality and types of instruments used to assess KTE implementation and impact: a systematic review. Completed.
- Process and implementation of participatory ergonomics interventions: a systematic review. Funded by Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Completed. (PI on the project)
Publications
- Furlan AD, Irvin E, Kim J, Van Eerd D, Carnide N, Munhall C, Fortune M, Mahood Q, van Tulder MW. Impact of long-term opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain on misuse, abuse or addiction, overdose, falls and fractures. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014 CD011062-. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011062.
- Cote P, Yang X, Kristman VL, Hogg-Johnson S, Van Eerd D, Rezai M, Vidmar M. The Association between Workers' Compensation Claims Involving Neck Pain and Future Health Care Utilization: A Population-based Cohort Study. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2013;23(4):547-556. doi:10.1007/s10926-012-9415-8.
- 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.
Speaker Series presentations
- Understanding PTSI program implementation processes in Alberta first responder organizations. IWH Speaker Series. January 27, 2026.
- 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.