Title: Using photovoice to identify patient transfers risk factors in long-term care home settings

Authors: Paula Marguerite Van Wyk; Alan Salmoni

Addresses: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, E.W. Bickle Centre, 130 Dunn Avenue N236A, Toronto, Ontario, M6K 2R7, Canada ' School of Kinesiology, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street TH3159B, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada

Abstract: The variety of tasks performed in a variety of organisations complicates having a gold standard tool for identifying workplace injury risk factors. There are three main approaches for identifying risk factors; self-reports (e.g., surveys, focus groups, interviews), direct observation (e.g., checklists), and direct measurement (e.g., electromyography). Alternatively, this study aimed to use photovoice, a participatory approach that uses photographs to evoke discussion and the identification of issues, or in this case risk factors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether photovoice strategies could be useful to help workers identify risk factors inherent in lifting and transferring residents in nursing homes. It was found that photovoice is a viable method for identifying risk factors. Overall, the photovoice method was enjoyed by the participants, was advantageous in identifying risk factors, and promoted group participation, communication, and empowerment.

Keywords: photovoice; risk factors; participatory ergonomics; patient lifting; patient transfers; healthcare management; long-term care homes; workplace injury risks; photographs; photos; nursing homes; risk identification; risk assessement; group participation; communication; empowerment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2013.055992

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2013 Vol.2 No.1, pp.49 - 65

Received: 22 Jan 2013
Accepted: 31 May 2013
Published online: 30 Apr 2014 *

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