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A research impact model for work and health
Author(s) -
Van Eerd Dwayne,
Moser Cindy,
Saunders Ron
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.23201
Subject(s) - health care , work (physics) , medicine , process (computing) , logic model , management science , health services research , occupational safety and health , knowledge management , public relations , public health , computer science , nursing , political science , engineering , mechanical engineering , public administration , pathology , law , operating system
Abstract Research organizations, governments and funding agencies are increasingly interested in the impact of research beyond academia. While a growing literature describes research impacts in healthcare and health services, little has focused on occupational health and safety research. This article describes a research impact model that has been in use for over a decade. The model was developed to track and describe the impact of research conducted by a mid‐sized institute that focuses on work and health. Model development was informed by existing models, with the goal of contextualizing the institute's case studies describing three types of research impact: evidence of the diffusion of research; evidence of research informing decision‐making; and evidence of societal impact. A logic model describes research actions and outcomes, as well as key audiences and knowledge transfer approaches. A unique element is its indication of the level of difficulty in determining types of impact. The model compares well with current research impact models developed or used in healthcare and health services research, and it has been useful in guiding a mid‐sized research organization's process for tracking and describing the impact of its research. It may be useful to other small and mid‐sized research organizations that focus on workplace health and safety.