Health in work - a mixed methods study about a workplace intervention supporting work participation
The HelseIArbeid (Health in work) workplace intervention is a general workplace intervention aimed at increasing inclusion in the workplace, enhancing coping, and improving work participation. The intervention is offered to all employees in an organization—not only those who already experience health problems—and therefore represents a new approach to strengthening public health through working life. You can read more about the Health in work concept here (pages in Norwegian).
The research group has led a study that examined the intervention using a so-called randomized controlled trial (RCT), a very rigorous research method. In this study, HelseIArbeid served as the intervention group, while standard inclusive work services from the NAV Working Life Centre were used as the control group. There is limited research on general workplace interventions, and this is the first time such a large study has been conducted on the HelseIArbeid workplace intervention.
First peer-reviewed publication from HelseIArbeid
In the first scientific publication from the project, PhD candidate Christoffer Terjesen was unable to demonstrate statistically significant differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) or subjective well-being (SWB) between the intervention group and the control group—either immediately after the intervention or after 12 months of follow-up.
An important finding, however, is that participants in both groups reported very high levels of health and well-being already at baseline. When the starting point is this strong, it often becomes difficult to demonstrate further improvements—a phenomenon known as a ceiling effect.
A safe and feasible intervention
The positive outcome is that the HIA intervention could be implemented across industries and geographical areas without negative consequences for participants’ health or well-being. This demonstrates that the intervention is safe, structured, and practically feasible in different types of organizations.
The article is titled “Impact of an intersectoral universal workplace intervention on health-related quality of life and wellbeing in a pragmatic cluster randomized trial” and can be read here.
Future publications:
This first study examines only the effect of HIA on health-related quality of life and subjective well-being, and therefore does not provide a complete picture of the intervention’s overall impact. Ongoing analyses, however, suggest that HIA may have a positive effect on other important outcomes—such as reduced sickness absence and lower use of health services.
Economic analyses will also be conducted, making it possible to assess both the cost–benefit and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. These results will be published separately.
Why is this important?
This is the first time such a large randomized controlled trial has been conducted on a universal workplace intervention in Norway. The results provide valuable knowledge about how the workplace can be used as an arena to strengthen public health and prevent sickness absence—a topic of high relevance for employers, policymakers, and the healthcare system.
Members:
Financial/grant information:
NAV Fou midler (The Norwegian Health and Welfare Administration, Research and development fund)
Helse Nord Health trust
UiT The Arctic university of Norway