What makes hospitals work? Organizational conditions and interventions for improving employees'work ability

The 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