title: Cooperation Between Occupational Health Services and Small-Scale Enterprises in Norway and Sweden: A Provider Perspective.
abstract: Although small-scale enterprises (SSEs) dominate the private enterprise sector, knowledge about support for these organizations from occupational health services (OHSs) is insufficient. The aim of this research was to study OHS services provided and staff cooperation with SSEs in Norway and Sweden. In total, 87 Norwegian and 51 Swedish OHS providers answered a survey on their experiences providing requested services from and cooperation with SSEs. Based on survey questions and constructed indices, providers in the two countries were compared using independent sample t tests and non-parametric tests. Open-ended questions were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results showed that SSEs, particularly in industrial, construction, and trade sectors, commonly contract for Norwegian and Swedish OHSs, and these contracts have increased in the last 12 months. Norwegian providers state that SSEs request broader organizationally- based services; their Swedish counterparts request more individual-based health-related services. Improvements concerning specific strategies for OHS collaboration with SSEs may be needed.
authors.affiliation: 1 Mid Sweden University.
authors.forename: Stig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vinberg
authors.affiliation: 1 Mid Sweden University.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Torsdatter Markussen
authors.affiliation: 1 Mid Sweden University.|2 Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust.
authors.forename: Bodil J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Landstad
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009664:Norway; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017149:Private Sector / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
keywords: health promotion; management; occupational health and safety programs; occupational health services