Impact of Digital Interventions in Occupational Health Care: A Systematic Review

TL;DR

This review examines how digital interventions affect occupational health care, finding they are especially effective for mental health and sedentary behavior.

Contribution

The study systematically reviews digital interventions in occupational health, highlighting mental health as a key target area.

Findings

Digital interventions focused on mental health showed significant positive impact.

Sedentary behavior was the second most common target of these interventions.

Online training and computer software were identified as particularly effective methods.

Abstract

To assess the existing body of evidence and impact of digital interventions on occupational health care.

The search strategy and review process were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The search was carried out during a period from January 1, 2013 to June 5, 2023, using the SCOPUS and Ovid Medline databases. After the identification of the relevant records, screening was conducted in 3 stages, following specific predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A data-extraction model was created on the basis of the aim of the review. The quality of the selected studies was evaluated using the Effective Public Health Practice framework. Owing to the heterogeneity of the outcome measures, we used narrative synthesis to summarize the findings.

We identified 382 records in SCOPUS and 441 in Ovid Medline. We selected 54 studies to be included in the evidence synthesis. The health targets of the interventions varied widely, but we identified 2 main focus areas: sedentary behavior (n=17, 32%) and mental health (n=14, 26%). Even when the studies had the same health target, the outcomes and chosen measures varied widely. Given the considerable effect of the primary outcome, mental health appears to be a good target for digital interventions. Online training and computer software could be especially effective.

The potential positive impact of digital interventions on mental health, especially online training, should be leveraged by health care professionals and providers. In order to provide more specific recommendations for health care professionals, occupational health care researchers should strive for consensus on outcome measures.

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