O-313 WORKING FROM HOME – A MIXED-METHOD STUDY: HEALTH EXPERIENCES AND EFFECTS OF HEALTH PROMOTION INTERVENTION

• Published in: Occupational medicine (Oxford) Vol. 74; no. Supplement_1
• Main Authors: Scheepers, Louisa, Engels, Miriam, Boß, Leif, Engels, Judith, Kuhlmann, Rebekka, Kuske, Johanna, Pavlista, Valeria, Schmidt-Stiedenroth, Kira, Diebig, Mathias, Angerer, Peter, Hoewner, Jörg, Lehr, Dirk, Schwens, Christian, Süß, Stefan, Dragano, Nico
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 05-07-2024
• ISSN: 0962-7480; 1471-8405
• DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqae023.1207

Abstract Louisa Scheepers Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Dusseldorf Germany. Paula Fialho Institute of Medical Sociology, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Dusseldorf Germany. Peter Angerer Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Dusseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf Germany. Nico Dragano Institute of Medical Sociology, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Dusseldorf Germany. Claudia Pischke Institute of Medical Sociology, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Dusseldorf Germany. Introduction Since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, working from home has become a common practice in many companies. This brings potential benefits, but also possible health risks for managers and employees. Currently, systematic research on the organization of home work is still in its early stages, and there is a lack of specific recommendations. This study wants to provide a comprehensive understanding of the health experiences associated with working from home and to evaluate the effects of health-promoting interventions in home offices. Methods First, six guideline-based focus groups (n=34) were conducted in three medium-sized companies to record the experiences and necessities. The data was analysed to identify health-related interventions to organise home office. Subsequently, the developed intervention (workshops combined with a workbook) was evaluated in a randomized-controlled-trial (n=40) for its consequences on health. Results Qualitative results Flexibility is the most important reason to work from home. However, dealing with the gained flexibility had to be learned, and there was a need for support in different domains, such as ergonomics or boundary management. Early quantitative results A combined intervention (workshop and workbook) led to a reduction of work-related-stress. Final results will be presented at the conference. Discussion Although flexibility is known to reduce work-related-stress, support is needed in dealing with the newly gained space for action so that it does not become a new source of stress. A behavior-based combined intervention can assist in meeting the new challenges on an individual level. Conclusion In the future, the focus should also be on the implementation of contextual prevention measures.