Workplace Health Promotion Embedded in Medical Surveillance: The Italian Way to Total Worker Health Program

Magnavita, Nicola

doi:10.3390/ijerph20043659

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 73 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Numerous studies confirm the feasibility of using shortened versions to replace the WAI, at least in occupational health research and employee surveys [ 12 , 63 , 64 , 65 ]. We applied the one-item questionnaire in previous investigations on post-COVID-19 settings [ 66 ] and on the return to work of women with breast cancer [ 67 ], as well as in workplace health promotion activities [ 68 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Work Ability Index (WAI) in the Healthcare Sector: A Cross-Sectional/Retrospective Assessment of the Questionnaire

Magnavita,

Meraglia,

Viti

et al. 2024

IJERPH

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Work Ability Index (WAI) is the most widely used questionnaire for the self-assessment of working ability. Because of its different applications, shorter versions, and widespread use in healthcare activities, assessing its characteristics is worthwhile. The WAI was distributed online among the employees of a healthcare company; the results were compared with data contained in the employees’ personal health records and with absence registers. A total of 340 out of 575 workers (59.1%) participated; 6.5% of them reported poor work ability. Exploratory factor analysis indicated that the one-factor version best described the characteristics of the WAI. The scores of the complete WAI, the shorter form without the list of diseases, and the minimal one-item version (WAS) had equal distribution and were significantly correlated. The WAI score was inversely related to age and significantly lower in women than in men, but it was higher in night workers than in their day shift counterparts due to the probable effect of selective factors. The WAI score was also correlated with absenteeism, but no differences were found between males and females in the average number of absences, suggesting that cultural or emotional factors influence the self-rating of the WAI. Workers tended to over-report illnesses in the online survey compared to data collected during occupational health checks. Musculoskeletal disorders were the most frequently reported illnesses (53%). Psychiatric illnesses affected 21% of workers and had the greatest impact on work ability. Multilevel ergonomic and human factor intervention seems to be needed to recover the working capacity of healthcare workers.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Work Ability Index (WAI) in the Healthcare Sector: A Cross-Sectional/Retrospective Assessment of the Questionnaire

Magnavita,

Meraglia,

Viti

et al. 2024

IJERPH

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Inclusion criteria for control women were: (i) female gender; (ii) age ± 1 year; (iii) no cancer history; (iv) currently working; (v) no night shifts. The questionnaires were tested during promotional activities carried out in the workplace by the Catholic University [ 23 ]. In the same year (2022), controls were invited to fill in the questionnaire during the regular medical examination in the workplace that Italian law makes mandatory for workers exposed to occupational risks.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Supporting Return to Work after Breast Cancer: A Mixed Method Study

Magnavita,

Di Prinzio,

Meraglia

et al. 2023

Healthcare

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common invasive cancer in the world. Most BC survivors (BCSs) continue working while dealing with cancer-related disabilities. BCSs’ return-to-work (RTW) after cancer treatment is an important stage of their recovery and is associated with a higher survival rate. In this study, we addressed the RTW of BCSs with the intention of facilitating this process through direct action in the workplace. Thirty-two women who requested assistance from January to December 2022 were enrolled in the study. Semi-structured interviews and medical examinations were conducted by a team of three physicians. Interviews were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Moreover, a quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the health status of BCSs with that of a control group of 160 working women, using standardized questionnaires on work ability, fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and happiness. BCSs were also asked to rate the level of organizational justice they perceived at work prior to their illness. From the qualitative analysis emerged three facilitating/hindering themes: (1) person-related factors, (2) company-related factors, and (3) society-related factors. In the quantitative analysis, BCSs had significantly higher scores for anxiety, depression, sleep problems and fatigue, and lower levels of happiness than controls. The RTW of BCSs entails adapting working conditions and providing adequate support. The work-related analysis of each case made it possible to highlight the measures that need to be taken in the workplace to promote RTW. The treatment of cancer should be paired with advice on the best way to regain the ability to work.

show abstract

“…The Health Surveillance Service of the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in Rome has adopted for many years the principle of associating health promotion with occupational risk prevention, according to a model of workplace health promotion embedded in medical surveillance [20] which corresponds to the integration model known in the USA as Total Worker Health ® [21]. In this perspective, the SSP intervention has been set up as a part of the WHP plan.…”

Section: The "Stop Smoking Promotion" (Ssp) Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility of a Stop Smoking Program for Healthcare Workers in an Italian Hospital: Econometric Analysis in a Total Worker Health® Approach

Di Prinzio,

Bondanini,

De Falco

et al. 2023

Annals of Global Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Over 20% of healthcare workers (HCWs) are active smokers. Smoking is a targeted issue for workplace health promotion (WHP) programs.Objective: Our study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Stop Smoking Promotion (SSP) intervention, a 6-hour training course for HCWs, which took place from May 2018 to July 2019. Methods:We compared HCWs who successfully quit smoking (n = 15) to those who did not (n = 25) in terms of Sickness Absence Days (SADs). Moreover, we conducted an econometric analysis by calculating the return on investment and implementing a breakeven analysis.Findings: Among the 40 enrolled workers, a success rate of 37.5% was observed after a span of over two years from the SSP intervention (with nurses and physicians showed the best success rate). Overall, participants showed a noticeable absenteeism reduction after the SSP intervention, with a reduction rate of 85.0% in a one-year period. The estimated ROI for the hospital was 1.90, and the break-even point was 7.85. In other words, the organization nearly doubled its profit from the investment, and the success of at least eight participants balanced costs and profits. Conclusion:Our pilot study confirms that WHP programs are simple and cost-saving tools which may help improve control over the smoking pandemic in healthcare settings.

show abstract

Workplace Health Promotion Embedded in Medical Surveillance: The Italian Way to Total Worker Health Program

Cited by 8 publications

References 73 publications

The Work Ability Index (WAI) in the Healthcare Sector: A Cross-Sectional/Retrospective Assessment of the Questionnaire

The Work Ability Index (WAI) in the Healthcare Sector: A Cross-Sectional/Retrospective Assessment of the Questionnaire

Supporting Return to Work after Breast Cancer: A Mixed Method Study

Feasibility of a Stop Smoking Program for Healthcare Workers in an Italian Hospital: Econometric Analysis in a Total Worker Health® Approach

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About