Evidence-based strategies and interventions to promote the health of workers teleworking from home: Scoping review

Abstract

Background: In this "new era" numerous companies chose to continue in teleworking mode for non-COVID-19 reasons, since it proved to be a highly viable option, but that in turn, it could also provide more health risks. Evidence on interventions and strategies to promote health in teleworkers is limited and poorly understood. Objective: To examine the strategies and interventions that promote health during telework present in the literature. Methods: Through an exploratory review, scientific databases were searched to find articles that presented a strategy or an intervention that could improve the health of teleworkers. Two review authors independently applied the selection criteria and extracted information systematically. Data were extracted and synthesized in a narrative format. Results: The search produced 15 relevant articles. Interventions and strategies focused on promoting the physical and mental well-being and health security of teleworkers, mostly in the context of a pandemic. We found a large heterogeneity of types of interventions, strategies, and study designs, mainly were non-intervention studies. Deployment barriers and enablers include challenges in the respect workstation. Conclusion: Companies should aim to improve the experience of teleworking, considering the environment and organizational aspects, and then establish health promotion activities. However, there is a lack of studies that focus on other health matters, multicomponent interventions that include organizational strategies.