What makes hospitals work? Organizational conditions and interventions for improving employees'work ability
ProjectThe aging of the working population has led to a particular attention toward the active aging issue,
making the improvement of employees’ work ability paramount (2, 20, 23). Broadly defined as being
physically and mentally capable to conduct one's work, work ability (WA) has long been a subject of
interest in the medical discipline, while only recently the psychological and organizational disciplines
have started to evaluate the characteristics of organizations that can promote better work ability (2,
3, 13).
The literature on WA is fragmented and characterized by few interdisciplinary studies assessing both
individual dimensions (e.g., lifestyles, individual traits) and organizational characteristics (e.g.,
workload, shifts, worker autonomy, supervisor support, work intensification) (3, 5, 21). It is also
emphasized that studies on this topic are mainly cross-sectional and show only a static picture of the
WA (13, 16, 17).
This project aims to fill these gaps. Focusing in particular on the WA of healthcare employees of the
university hospital of Modena (Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena from now on AOU), it
will integrate medical, psychological and organizational skills to develop a theoretical model for multilevel
interventions on both individuals and organizational units.
Furthermore, this research aims to assess and monitor the relationship between WA and its
determinants over time, using qualitative-quantitative methodologies.
The project is consistent with the recommendations laid down by The Emilia Romagna Regional
Prevention Plan (2020-2025), and the related Total Worker Health project, which emphasize the
relevance of assessing indicators related to work ability as a way of improving both the quality of
healthcare services and the wellbeing of employees involved.
In terms of practical implications, the goal is to propose and design inclusive organizational models
that promote a healthy work environment and higher levels of well-being, with a focus on the most
fragile segments of the working population
making the improvement of employees’ work ability paramount (2, 20, 23). Broadly defined as being
physically and mentally capable to conduct one's work, work ability (WA) has long been a subject of
interest in the medical discipline, while only recently the psychological and organizational disciplines
have started to evaluate the characteristics of organizations that can promote better work ability (2,
3, 13).
The literature on WA is fragmented and characterized by few interdisciplinary studies assessing both
individual dimensions (e.g., lifestyles, individual traits) and organizational characteristics (e.g.,
workload, shifts, worker autonomy, supervisor support, work intensification) (3, 5, 21). It is also
emphasized that studies on this topic are mainly cross-sectional and show only a static picture of the
WA (13, 16, 17).
This project aims to fill these gaps. Focusing in particular on the WA of healthcare employees of the
university hospital of Modena (Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena from now on AOU), it
will integrate medical, psychological and organizational skills to develop a theoretical model for multilevel
interventions on both individuals and organizational units.
Furthermore, this research aims to assess and monitor the relationship between WA and its
determinants over time, using qualitative-quantitative methodologies.
The project is consistent with the recommendations laid down by The Emilia Romagna Regional
Prevention Plan (2020-2025), and the related Total Worker Health project, which emphasize the
relevance of assessing indicators related to work ability as a way of improving both the quality of
healthcare services and the wellbeing of employees involved.
In terms of practical implications, the goal is to propose and design inclusive organizational models
that promote a healthy work environment and higher levels of well-being, with a focus on the most
fragile segments of the working population