[Checklist for occupational health professionals: Assessing suitability for online interviews using information and communication technology].

Objective: Since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, there is an increased opportunity for occupational health professionals to conduct online interviews. However, to the best of our knowledge, research regarding adaptation to online interviewing is limited. Therefore, we developed a checklist as a reference for decision-making regarding the adaptation of online interviews.

Subjects and methods: Through online interview-adaptation group work, we identified considerations for adaptation of online interviews, including promoters and barriers. Based on our findings, a prototype version of a checklist was created. Public comments on the prototype were collected, and a survey was conducted to verify the validity of the checklist.

Results: Seventy-one volunteers participated in the group work, resulting in a prototype checklist consisting of eight major categories and 32 sub-categories. We received 15 public comments on the prototype and 64 responses to the survey. More than 50% of the respondents indicated that online interviews should be avoided or that they would face difficulties if conducted. Based on public comments and additional opinions from the survey, the final version of the checklist was completed.

Discussion and conclusion: The final version of the online interview-adaptation checklist was confirmed as valid by experienced occupational health professionals. The checklist will guide appropriate decision-making regarding adaptation to online interviews.