Abstract
Background: The manual collection and coding of job-histories is the standard method for assessing occupational exposure but may be infeasible for large population-based studies.
Aims and Objectives: To develop a new web-based tool to collect and automatically code individual lifetime job-histories in the large UK Biobank cohort for investigating the causes and burden of work-related COPD in the UK.
Methods: UK Biobank is a population-based cohort of 502,682 subjects, aged 40-69 years, recruited in 2006-2010. Baseline spirometry data, current occupation and lifetime smoking histories were collected. We developed a job questionnaire based on the hierarchical structure of the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2000 to allow participants to self-collect and automatically code their lifetime work-histories. The web-based prototype was pre-piloted in May-August 2013 among key job sectors using snowball sampling together with a feedback survey.
Results: 171 subjects participated in both the pre-piloting and feedback survey. 91% completed the questionnaire in <20 minutes, 85% considered the instructions clear, and 80% found their job categories/titles easily. Overall, 96% judged the questionnaire clear and easy. A revised questionnaire has now been designed for the imminent piloting and will be accessible from different media (PCs/laptops, tablets and smart phones) to encourage high response. A demonstration version will be made available to conference participants.
Conclusions: Our web-based job questionnaire is a new efficient tool for collecting and coding lifetime job-histories in large population-based studies and is adaptable for use in several health research projects.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015
