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
- Central nervous system agents and the risk of workplace injury and death: a systematic review. Funded by WorkSafeBC. Completed.
- Evaluating the implementation of a participatory organizational change intervention in long-term care. Funded by Ontario Ministry of Labour, Centre for Research on the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD). Completed. (PI on the project)
- Identifying relevant OHS leading indicators in Manitoba's construction sector. Funded by Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba. Completed.
- System-based return-to-work and disability management interventions: a systematic review. Funded by WorkSafeBC. Completed.
- IWH Organizational Performance Metric: Developing and evaluating a simple workplace OHS tool. Funded by Workplace Safety & Insurance Board, Ontario Ministry of Labour. Completed.
Publications
- Gignac MA, Irvin E, Cullen KL, Van Eerd D, Beaton DE, Mahood Q, McLeod CB, Backman CL. Men and women's occupational activities and the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, or hands: a systematic review and recommendations for future research. Arthritis Care and Research. 2020;72(3):378-396. doi:10.1002/acr.23855.
- Van Eerd D, Smith PM, Vu U. Implications of an aging workforce for work injury, recovery, returning to work and remaining at work. OOHNA Journal. 2019 30-36. Full text.
- Yanar B, Amick B, Lambraki I, D'Elia T, Severin C, Van Eerd D. How are leaders using benchmarking information in occupational health and safety decision-making?. Safety Science. 2019;116:245-253. doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2019.03.016.
- Van Eerd D. Knowledge transfer and exchange in health and safety: a rapid review. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. 2019;17(1):54-77. doi:10.1080/14773996.2018.1508116.
- Furlan AD, Carnide N, Irvin E, Van Eerd D, Munhall C, Kim J, Li CMF, Hamad A, Mahood Q, Macdonald S. A systematic review of strategies to improve appropriate use of opioids and to reduce opioid use disorder and deaths from prescription opioids. Canadian Journal of Pain. 2018;2(1):218-235. doi:10.1080/24740527.2018.1479842.
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