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
- Programs of early OHS intervention with small businesses. Funded by WorkSafeBC. Ongoing. (PI on the project)
- Understanding how new businesses start managing OHS: laying the groundwork for future interventions . Funded by Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Ongoing.
- Developing recommendations for an integrated approach to workplace health protection and health promotion. Funded by Alberta OHS Future. Completed.
- MSD prevention: a practical implementation guide for Newfoundland and Labrador. Funded by Service Newfoundland. Completed. (PI on the project)
- Central nervous system agents and the risk of workplace injury and death: a systematic review. Funded by WorkSafeBC. Completed.
Publications
- Van Eerd D, Ferron EM, D'Elia T, Morgan D, Ziesmann F, Amick B. Process evaluation of a participatory organizational change program to reduce musculoskeletal and slip, trip and fall injuries. Applied Ergonomics. 2018;68:42-53. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2017.10.015.
- Carnide N, Hogg-Johnson S, Cote P, Irvin E, Van Eerd D, Koehoorn M, Furlan AD. Response: prescription opioid use and the risk of disability. Clinical Journal of Pain. 2018;34(2):190-191. doi:10.1097/AJP.0000000000000562.
- Cullen KL, Irvin E, Collie A, Clay F, Gensby U, Jennings P, Hogg-Johnson S, Kristman VL, Laberge M, McKenzie D, Newnam S, Palagyi A, Ruseckaite R, Sheppard DM, Shourie S, Steenstra I, Van Eerd D, Amick B. Effectiveness of workplace interventions in return-to-work for musculoskeletal, pain-related and mental health conditions: an update of the evidence and messages for practitioners. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2018;28(1):1–15. doi:10.1007/s10926-016-9690-x.
- Van Eerd D, Cardoso S, Irvin E, Saunders R, King T, Macdonald S. Occupational safety and health knowledge users' perspectives about research use. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety. 2018;16(1):4-19. doi:10.1080/14773996.2017.1356544.
- Van Eerd D, Saunders R. Integrated knowledge transfer and exchange: an organizational approach for stakeholder engagement and communications. Scholarly and Research Communication. 2017;8(1):. doi:10.22230/src.2017v8n1a274.
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.