WORK ABILITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN HOSPITAL STAFF

Kasimira Koleva,Gergana Sandeva

doi:10.12955/cbup.v4.844

Abstract

Healthcare is an economic sector characterized by unfavorable working conditions, such as psychosocial stress, shift work, and manual handling of loads. It is important to opportunely assess the work ability and psychological well-being of hospital staff to evaluate workers’ functional capacity and plan appropriate preventive measures.Objectives: To assess the work ability and psychological well-being in hospital staff and to determine factors that might influence them.Methods: Work Ability Index Questionnaire, Psychological Well-being Questionnaire, and statistical analyses.Results: The mean Work Ability Index (WAI) score was 40.8 ±4.8, which corresponded to suitable work ability. The lowest mean WAI score was registered for the physical therapists (38 ±3.8), and was significantly lower than the WAI score for nurses (41.6 ±4.8). The mean Psychological Well-being score for all subjects was 187.6 ±18.4. The youngest workers (200.8 ±14.7), and those with shortest length of service (196.7 ±18.4) had significantly higher mean Psychological Well-being scores than older (180.8 ±19.9) and more experienced workers (180.3 ±18.3). A positive correlation was found between WAI and Psychological Well-being scores (r = 0.37, p = 0.003).Conclusion: Hospital managers should consider implementing strategies focused on the work ability of hospital staff, as well as on their psychological well-being, to keep workers fit and healthy for longer.

Highlights

Work ability is a term describing a worker’s ability to perform specific work for a period of time while maintaining optimal capacity and quality without showing signs of fatigue or exhaustion
Hospital managers should consider implementing strategies focused on the work ability of hospital staff, as well as on their psychological well-being, to keep workers fit and healthy for longer
The lowest mean Work Ability Index (WAI) score was registered for the physical therapists (38 ±3.8), and was significantly lower than the WAI score of the nurses (p = 0.0439; Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

Work ability is a term describing a worker’s ability to perform specific work for a period of time while maintaining optimal capacity and quality without showing signs of fatigue or exhaustion. Satisfactory work ability is sustained and promoted by strong physical and mental health, as well as by favorable work conditions (Camerino et al, 2008). Comprehensive evaluation of work ability is often considered difficult to perform as it involves the services of various medical specialists and the use of significant resources. Work ability assessment is a complex undertaking involving the measuring of cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, cognitive and sensory functions (vision and hearing), and mental resources. These limitations have incited occupational specialists to develop easier, but still accurate evaluation methods (Ilmarinen, 2007)

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Conclusion