SHIFTing from concept to practice: Co-creating a health-focused training module for truck drivers

Background:
To address health disparities in truck drivers, a health promotion programme called the ‘Structured Health Intervention For Truckers’ (SHIFT) was developed to promote positive lifestyle changes in this at-risk occupational group. While UK truck drivers are mandated to undergo Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training to maintain their licences, no current course covers lifestyle health-related behaviours.

Purpose:
To translate the SHIFT programme into a scalable health-focused CPC module, in collaboration with drivers and stakeholders, for industry adoption.

Methods:
Three co-creation workshops were conducted with drivers/driver trainers/stakeholders to showcase findings from our established SHIFT programme. The workshops were audio recorded and field notes collected. To co-create a SHIFT prototype CPC module, feedback and insights from the co-creators were gathered and analysed using content analysis.

Results:
Seventeen participants including two HGV drivers, twelve HGV driver trainers, two driver training and development managers and a compliance manager participated in online and in-person co-creation workshops. The SHIFT programme was translated into a 1-hour (Short-SHIFT, designed to raise awareness) and 7-hour-full health CPC module, covering chronic disease risk, mental wellbeing, benefits of physical activity, reducing sitting, and a heathy diet. The module was accredited by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and is being implemented within a major UK logistics operator (~7000 truck drivers) providing proof of concept evidence.

Conclusions:
The successful translation and accreditation of the SHIFT programme into a driver CPC module, and module component, marks an impactful trajectory in health promotion for truck drivers within the UK’s Road freight industry.

Practical implications:
The SHIFT-CPC module provides drivers with a novel health education training opportunity tailored to their needs, allowing meaningful participant engagement to promote healthier lifestyles. The module could reach ~250,000 HGV drivers nationally, addressing a critical gap in their health education and literacy.

Funding: The Colt Foundation.