A risk management intervention in Australian hospital food service departments: an evaluation using the RE-AIM framework

The RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance) framework was used to undertake a process evaluation of a workplace intervention using the A Participative Hazard Identification and Risk Management (APHIRM) Toolkit. The aim of the intervention was to reduce work-related physical and psychosocial hazards associated with musculoskeletal disorders and stress related mental health in hospital food services employees. This study aimed to evaluate the process undertaken to support implementation of the APHIRM toolkit. Qualitative and quantitative data collected from individual participants, research team observations and organisations were used to report on the five dimensions of the RE-AIM framework and explore the implementation process of the APHIRM toolkit (the intervention). Organisations reported a range of strategies to improve reach of the intervention, with variability across different work groups. Common challenges reported related to senior management support, communication and competing organisational priorities. A key strength of the APHIRM toolkit is the prioritisation of physical and psychosocial hazards and the opportunities for dialogue between workers and management and supervisors that do not normally exist. This process evaluation of the intervention offered valuable insights which can be used to improve the APHIRM toolkit’s resources, tools, and training. It highlighted ongoing challenges in addressing psychosocial hazards and the important role of the toolkit in providing workers with an opportunity to be involved in developing tailored risk controls, through the use of a highly participative approach. For the hospital food service employees involved, this participatory approach was novel. Findings from this evaluation will inform modification of guidance and training provided within the APHIRM toolkit.