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.
- 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
- 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.
- Tullar J, Brewer S, Amick B, Irvin E, Mahood Q, Pompeii L, Wang A, Van Eerd D, Gimeno D, Evanoff B. Occupational safety and health interventions to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms in the health care sector. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2010;20(2):199-219. doi:10.1007/s10926-010-9231-y.
- Robson LS, Macdonald S, Van Eerd D, Gray GC, Bigelow P. Something might be missing from occupational health and safety audits: findings from a content validity analysis of five audit instruments. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2010;52(5):536-543. doi:10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181dbc87c.
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
- Making the best of RTW interventions. Canadian HR Reporter: Thomson Reuters (Toronto, ON). April 17, 2017. Available from: https://www.iwh.on.ca/sites/iwh/files/iwh/reports/chrr_making_the_best_of_rtw_interventions_2017.pdf
- Paper on aging and MSDs draws on WHO framework. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 87, Winter 2017.
- Making the business case for safety: Case study shows benefits of participatory ergonomics continue for years. OHS Insider: Bongarde Media (Penticton, BC). October 16, 2016. Available from: https://ohsinsider.com/compliance-centres/making-business-case-safety-case-study-shows-benefits-participatory-ergonomics-continue-years
- On-the-job resistance training helps prevent musculoskeletal disorder: Review. Canadian Safety Reporter: Thomson Reuters Canada (Toronto, ON). November 13, 2015. Available from: http://www.safety-reporter.com/articleview/25923-on-the-job-resistance-training-helps-prevent-musculoskeletal-disorders-review
- Workplace resistance training program helps reduce musculoskeletal disorders: study. Canada Chiropractor: Annex Business Media (Simcoe, ON). November 12, 2015. Available from: http://www.canadianchiropractor.ca/programs/workplace-resistance-training-program-helps-reduce-muskuloskeletal-disorders-study-4269