The EDIOH Study

Personal characteristics, career experiences and progression in occupational health practitioners

Investigating equality, diversity and inclusion in occupational health

Researchers: Professor Drushca Lalloo, Professor Ewan Macdonald, Dr Sheetal Chavda and Dr Simon Walker

The Healthy Working Lives Group, in collaboration with the Faculty of Occupational Medicine and the Society of Occupational Medicine, conducted the EDIOH Study to investigate equality, diversity and inclusion among UK occupational health practitioners.

The study examined whether experiences and career progression in occupational health differ according to personal characteristics such as age, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability.

About the study

Occupational health practitioners work across a wide range of settings, including the NHS, public sector organisations, private companies and independent providers.

While equality, diversity and inclusion are increasingly recognised as central to workforce wellbeing and professional development, there has been limited formal research exploring these issues specifically within the occupational health workforce.

Much of the existing evidence on workplace discrimination and career progression comes from NHS workforce surveys. However, many occupational health practitioners in the UK work outside the NHS, meaning their experiences may not be captured through existing monitoring systems.

The EDIOH Study was designed to address this gap.

Why this research matters

Equality, diversity and inclusion are not optional extras. They shape professional opportunity, workplace experience, career progression and the ability of occupational health practitioners to thrive in their roles.

Without good evidence, it is difficult to know whether particular groups experience barriers, discrimination, exclusion or unequal access to career development within occupational health.

The EDIOH Study provides an important baseline for understanding these issues across the UK occupational health workforce.

What the study explored

The EDIOH Study investigated:

• personal characteristics of UK occupational health practitioners;
• career experiences and progression within occupational health;
• experiences of discrimination, inclusion and workplace culture;
• whether opportunities differ across professional groups or personal characteristics;
• whether occupational health organisations have policies, monitoring systems or support structures in place;
• how equality, diversity and inclusion can be strengthened across the occupational health field.

Study approach

The study used a comprehensive bespoke research survey designed for occupational health practitioners.

The survey gathered information on personal characteristics, professional background, career experiences, workplace culture, discrimination, organisational policies and perceived barriers to progression.

This approach allowed the study to establish an initial benchmark for equality, diversity and inclusion within occupational health.

Research impact

The findings from the EDIOH Study are intended to inform policy and practice within occupational health organisations and across the wider occupational health profession.

By identifying areas of concern and examples of good practice, the study supports action to improve fairness, inclusion and career opportunity for occupational health practitioners.

The overall aim is to help build an occupational health workforce that is more inclusive, better supported and better able to reflect the diverse working populations it serves.

Partners

This study was conducted by the Healthy Working Lives Group in collaboration with:

• Faculty of Occupational Medicine
• Society of Occupational Medicine