BACKGROUND: Occupational health services (OHS) are often described as an important
resource to reduce work-related diseases and improve the workplace.
OBJECTIVE: This paper identifies key factors for successful collaboration between
Swedish OHS providers and their client companies.
METHODS: Interviews were carried out with representatives of 15 companies and their
OHS providers. The interviews were transcribed and their content analyzed.
RESULTS: The results revealed that successful collaboration was highly correlated
with six factors. First, the collaboration depends on both parties; ``it
takes two to tango''. Second, the company and the OHS provider have a joint
commitment to a long-term collaboration. Third, the collaboration is built
on frequent contact at different organizational levels. Fourth, the company
has a well-structured work environment for occupational health and safety
management. Fifth, the OHS provider uses a consultative approach in its
prevention and promotion activities. Finally, OHS providers seek to treat
the company, not the individual.
CONCLUSIONS: Our research indicates that a successful collaboration requires both
occupational health and safety management (OHSM) within the company and the
assistance of a competent OHS provider. A change toward more promotion and
prevention services benefits the company, since the occupational health
services are better tailored to the company's needs.
