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, 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.
- 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)
- Future-focused job accommodation practices for the school-to-work transition. Funded by Accessibility Standards Canada (Government of Canada). Ongoing.
Publications
- Van Eerd D, Cole DC, Keown K, Irvin E, Kramer D, Gibson J, Kohn M, Mahood Q, Slack T, Amick B, Phipps D, Garcia J, Morassaei S. Report on knowledge transfer and exchange practices: a systematic review of the quality and types of instruments used to assess KTE implementation and impact . Institute for Work & Health; 2011.
- Beaton DE, Van Eerd D, Smith PM, van der Velde G, Cullen KL, Kennedy CA, Hogg-Johnson S. Minimal change is sensitive, less specific to recovery: a diagnostic testing approach to interpretability. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 2011;64(5):487-496. doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2010.07.012.
- Van Eerd D, Cole DC, Irvin E, Mahood Q, Keown K, Theberge N, Village J, St Vincent M, Cullen KL. Process and implementation of participatory ergonomic interventions: a systematic review. Ergonomics. 2010;53(10):1153-1166. doi:10.1080/00140139.2010.513452.
- Irvin E, Van Eerd D, Amick B, Brewer S. Introduction to special section: systematic reviews for prevention and management of musculoskeletal disorders. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2010;20(2):123-126. doi:10.1007/s10926-010-9245-5.
- Kennedy CA, Amick B, Dennerlein JT, Brewer S, Catli S, Williams R, Serra C, Gerr F, Irvin E, Mahood Q, Franzblau A, Van Eerd D, Evanoff B, Rempel D. Systematic review of the role of occupational health and safety interventions in the prevention of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms, signs, disorders, injuries, claims and lost time. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2010;20(2):127-162. doi:10.1007/s10926-009-9211-2.
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
- 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.
- Long-term care home sees safety culture change after participatory ergonomics study. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 88, Spring 2017.