Sustainability of an interdisciplinary secondary prevention program for hairdressers

Abstract

The follow-up survey 9 months after the beginning of the program (response rate: IG: N = 163, 75.8%; CG: N = 80, 94.1%) showed that 71.8% (N = 117) of the intervention group could remain in work as opposed to 60.0% (N = 48) in the control group. In the intervention group 14.7% gave up work due to OSD versus 22.5% in the control group (no statistically significant effect). In the 5-year follow-up (response rate: IG: N = 172, 80%; CG: N = 55, 64.7%) 58.7% (N = 101) of the IG remained at work versus 29.1% (N = 16) of the CG. In the IG 12.8% had stopped work because of OSD versus 27.3% in the CG (p < 0.001, Cramer's V = 0.26). Ten years after intervention, the follow-up showed a stabilization of the effects shown by the 5-year follow-up results. In addition to the criteria 'remaining' or 'not remaining at work' the results show that our interdisciplinary intervention program led to an increased and sustained knowledge on OSD and more adequate prevention at the work place in the IG. The results confirm that interdisciplinary training can be successful in effecting self-protection against workplace hazards by using positive approaches that include the learning of "safe" behavior and insuring transferability to real workplace settings ("empowerment"). Combined preventive measures as studied in this program have recently become the standard offered by different statutory accident liability insurances for patients in different wet work occupations with OSD in Germany.

Secondary prevention of occupational dermatoses: first systematic evaluation of optimized dermatologist's procedure and hierarchical multi‐step intervention

“…The DGUV has published quality characteristics for skin prevention seminars . The positive and sustained effect of skin protection seminars has already been demonstrated by previous studies . The present study confirmed these findings, especially in terms of the patient remaining in his profession as a major goal of dermatological care of patients with occupational skin diseases.…”

Effects of Systematic Patient Education in Skin Care and Protection in a Hand Eczema Clinic

“…Interestingly, two third of our patients had a positive effect on clinical outcome that could be assigned to patient education alone or in combination with pharmacological treatment. These data are in agreement with previously published work indicating that interdisciplinary, secondary prevention programs, including integrated care for patients with hand eczema, result in a significant reduction of skin symptoms as well as an increased remaining at work [13,14]. In a randomized study, skin care education and individual counseling were shown to significantly improve symptoms and quality of life in health care workers with hand eczema [15].…”

Multicentre cohort study ‘Rehabilitation of Occupational Skin Diseases – Optimization and Quality Assurance of Inpatient Management (ROQ)’: results from a 3‐year follow‐up

“…The health education probably led to increased compliance and adherence with regard to the preventive strategies. This is supported by another study indicating that health education in patients with OSDs improves the long‐term prognosis regarding remaining in the workforce . In addition, other factors probably contributed to the beneficial effects of the TIP, especially the involvement of local dermatologists and employers.…”