Musculoskeletal Health in the Workplace: Prevention and Intervention

About the Project

Musculoskeletal (MSK) issues persist as the leading cause of work-related absenteeism. These multifaceted problems encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from lifestyle-related behaviours to injuries and pre-existing diseases that individuals bring with them into the workplace. Additionally, MSK conditions can be exacerbated by poor workplace ergonomics or physical exposures inherent to specific job roles. (Crawford et al., 2020). Within Great Britain, HSE statistics show that over a million workers suffer injuries or fall ill each year due to work-related factors. This not only impacts individual well-being but also places a substantial economic burden on organisations and businesses. In the fiscal year 2021/22, the estimated cost to the British economy £20.7 billion (HSE, no date). Despite their prevalence, MSK conditions within the workplace remain relatively inconspicuous on national health policy and research agendas. From a public health perspective, workplace health promotion initiatives play a pivotal role. By mitigating health risks and fostering disease prevention, these programs contribute significantly to individual well-being. The proposed PhD study should aim to address the critical gaps in workplace health by focussing on 3 main areas 1) the generation of new knowledge to improve workplace health, 2) the better integration of workplace healthcare interventions that bridges the gap between clinical expertise and practical implementation, and 3) how evidence-based best practice can be implemented to inform health policy.

Supervisory team

• Director of Studies: Dr Christopher Holland
• Supervisors: Dr Darren Cooper Professor Derek Peters (TBC)
• Research Group:Human Performance Research Group

Application Process

To begin the application process please go to https://www.worc.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/applying-for-a-phd/.

The Interview

All successful applicants will be offered an interview with the proposed Supervisory Team. You will be contacted by a member of the Doctoral School Team to find a suitable date. Interviews can be conducted in person or over Microsoft Teams.

Funding your PhD

For information about Doctoral Loans please visit: https://www.worc.ac.uk/study/fees-and-finance/doctoral-loans.aspx

During your PhD you can access the Research Conference Support Scheme to support the costs of presenting your research at an external conference.