Workplace Health Research Articles

Stroke and Disability: Incidence, Risk Factors, Management, and Impact

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, leaving a significant portion of the population grappling with its long-term effects. The incidence of stroke is 3.6 on average higher compared to high-income countries. This study explores the global and Saudi Arabian burden of stroke-induced disability, highlighting its prevalence, risk factors, and the need for comprehensive rehabilitation strategies. The primary source of information was the international trusted databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and the websites and reports from international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, World Stroke Organization, and World Health Organization. The study revealed that women, especially after menopause, should be aware of their increased stroke risk and take steps to manage their risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Managing established risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol remains the cornerstone of stroke prevention for all individuals, regardless of profession. Workplace wellness programs that promote healthy lifestyles and stress management can be beneficial for employees in any occupation. Overall, stroke presents a growing public health challenge in Saudi Arabia. While the incidence may be lower than in some high-income countries, it is on the rise. More research is needed to gain a clearer picture of stroke-related disability, develop effective prevention and treatment strategies, and solidify the connection between specific occupations and stroke incidence.

Application of the behaviour-centred design to understand facilitators and deterrents of hand hygiene among healthcare providers: findings from a formative phase of a cluster randomised trial in the Kampala Metropolitan area

BackgroundHand hygiene is known to reduce healthcare-associated infections. However, it remains suboptimal among healthcare providers. In this study, we used the Behaviour-centered Design approach to explore the facilitators and deterrents to hand hygiene among healthcare providers in the Kampala Metropolitan area, Uganda.MethodsWe conducted a formative qualitative study as part of a cluster randomised trial in 19 healthcare facilities (HCFs). The study used 19 semi-structured and 18 key informant interviews to collect data on hand hygiene status and facilitators and deterrents of hand hygiene. Research assistants transcribed verbatim and used a thematic framework aided by Nvivo 14.0. to undertake analysis. We used thick descriptions and illustrative quotes to enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of our findings.ResultsAbout 47.4% of the HCFs had sufficient hand hygiene infrastructure, and 57.9% did not report total compliance with hand hygiene during patient care. The physical facilitator for hand hygiene was the presence of constant reminders such as nudges, while the biological included the frequency of patient contact and the nature of clinical work. The only biological deterrent was the heavy workload in HCFs. The executive brain facilitators included knowledge of workplace health risks, infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines, and a positive attitude. A negative attitude was the executive brain deterrent to hand hygiene. Recognition, rewards, and fear of infections were the only motivated brain facilitators. Behavioural setting facilitators included proximity to functional hand hygiene infrastructure, the existence of active IPC committees, good leadership, and the availability of a budget for hand hygiene supplies. Behavioural setting deterrents included the non-functionality and non-proximity to hand hygiene infrastructure and inadequate supplies.ConclusionsThe study revealed low compliance with hand hygiene during the critical moments of patient care and inadequacy of hand hygiene infrastructure. The deterrents to hand hygiene included a heavy workload, negative attitude, inadequate supplies, non-functionality, and long distance to hand washing stations. Facilitators included constant reminders, fear of infections, frequency of patient contact and nature of clinical work, positive attitude, knowledge of IPC guidelines, recognition and reward, good leadership, availability of budgets for hand hygiene supplies, availability and proximity to hand hygiene supplies and infrastructure and active IPC committees.Trial registrationISRCTN Registry with number ISRCTN98148144. The trial was registered on 23/11/2020.

Towards an Evidence-Based Critical Incidents and Suicides Response Program in Australian Construction

Fatal and non-fatal accidents and suicides at work pose a substantial threat to workers’ physical and psychological safety, particularly within the construction industry. Managing these incidents is an essential component of workplace health and safety (WHS). Additionally, a formal program to support workers and provide feedback to improve the existing WHS management system is increasingly important. However, knowledge of the factors contributing to an effective critical incident (CI) or postvention response is limited by the lack of published evidence-based interventions, especially for occupations and industries that are exposed to higher rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries due to accidents and suicides. In addition, broader concerns surrounding the effectiveness of conventional critical incident programs highlight the need to develop innovative and evidence-based critical intervention and postvention responses addressing acute stress symptoms arising from exposure. This research outlines the development of the MATES Respond Training Program, a component of the WHO-endorsed MATES in Construction program, which is a charity charged with the task of improving mental health and suicide prevention in the construction industry in Australia and New Zealand. Development of the MATES Respond Training Program was informed by the following three key sources: a rapid literature review, interviews with 11 workers trained in peer support suicide prevention interventions, and an analysis of site notes on 193 critical incident and postvention construction site attendances by MATES in Construction field officers, case managers and social workers. Insights and recommendations obtained from these sources, along with the resulting program, are discussed in this paper.

Connectivity as productivity: Workplace from Meta and organizational datafication

If social media are generally considered workplace distractions, how does Meta promote their enterprise social medium, Workplace? Analyzing Meta’s corporate communication, I explore their emphasis on “connectivity” as Workplace’s key selling point, aligning with existing research on Meta’s self-construction. Highlighting three pertinent themes in the corporate communication, I explore how Workplace is promised to (1) subsume the gray media of corporate life (2) turn companies into communities where workers share information boundlessly, even about their personal lives and (3) that these streams of communicative data are ultimately used as a datafied proxy for corporate health via Workplace. I propose that the productivity claimed to result from Workplace’s connectivity hinges on a subtle merging of personal and professional aspects in employees’ lives, which is in line with broader Silicon Valley trends and Meta’s own organizational image. I discuss the implications and limitations of these findings.

Exploring the Impact of Organizational Initiatives on Work Environment Safety and Health for Public Health

Workplace safety and health efforts in public health are organizational endeavours that include practices, policies, and interventions intended to reduce hazards, enhance well-being, and guarantee adherence to health and safety laws.We provide the findings from a phone conversation and in-person interviews with 286 manufacturing companies.We carried out a cross-sectional study of the attitudes, behaviours, and policies related to health and safety at work. All company types were subjected to analyses using data from the Lost Time Injury frequency rate (LTIFR). Paternalistic efforts, the documentation of occupational safety and public health (OSPH) measures, more worker participation in making decisions, and enhancing managerial perspectives about the importance of OSPH were all linked to very low LTIFR. The results show the advantages of a proactive strategy for developing a culture of wellness and security in public health contexts and emphasize the crucial role that organizational commitment plays in establishing safer and healthier workplaces.In conclusion, safer workplaces are characterized by worker and management engagement in OSPH activities. Additionally, there is a correlation between reduced injury rates and management's overall concern for OSPH, as demonstrated by both attitudes and practical actions.

Supportive Workplace Wellness Cultures and Mattering Are Associated With Less Burnout and Mental Health Issues in Nurse Managers.

The aims of this study were to describe burnout, mental health, and healthy lifestyle behaviors of nurses in a managerial role and assess associations among workplace culture factors (perceived culture, mattering, support, and staff shortages) with burnout, mental health outcomes, and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Nurse managers foster unit-based wellness cultures, yet burnout and mental health problems adversely impact the culture and well-being of staff. A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design was used. The Florida Organization for Nursing Leadership enabled distribution of a wellness survey to nurse managers. There were 125 participants. Healthy lifestyle behaviors were infrequently practiced. Analysis revealed significant correlations among workplace culture factors, burnout, and mental health outcomes. When compared with nurse managers with staff shortages, those without staff shortages were 6.11 times more likely to not screen positive for burnout. Health systems should address workplace culture factors and staff shortages to reduce burnout, improve mental health, and enhance healthy behaviors in nurse managers.

Nurses care for everyone: But who cares for a nurse?

ABSTRACT Nurses provide essential services across diverse healthcare settings, yet their own health and well-being are often overlooked. The physical, mental, and emotional demands of their profession can lead to burnout, stress, and various health issues. Ensuring nurses’ well-being is vital not only for their personal health but also for maintaining high-quality patient care. Therefore, this review seeks to explore the challenges nurses face in maintaining their own well-being This review synthesizes data from peer-reviewed journals, reports, and studies from the past decade. PubMed, Google Scholar, and CINAHL were searched using keywords like “nurse well-being,” “burnout,” “mental health in nursing,” and “occupational stress.” Relevant articles focusing on nurses’ well-being, challenges, and interventions were selected The findings of this review indicate that nurses face a range of challenges that adversely affect their well-being, including long working hours, inadequate staffing, exposure to traumatic events, and limited access to mental health resources. The review also highlights the significant impact of these challenges on nurses’ physical health, leading to musculoskeletal issues and chronic fatigue, as well as their mental health, resulting in burnout, anxiety, and depression. Several studies suggest that interventions such as workplace wellness programs, mental health support, flexible scheduling, and organizational changes aimed at reducing workload can positively influence nurse well-being. In Conclusion the well-being of nurses is a critical issue that requires immediate attention from healthcare institutions, policymakers, and society at large. This review demonstrates that while nurses are indispensable in caring for others, their health is often compromised due to the demands of their profession. To ensure the sustainability of healthcare systems, it is essential to implement comprehensive strategies that support the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of nurses.

Clinical patterns and outcomes of hospitalized patients with grinder-related neurovascular injuries: A decade of experience from a Level I Trauma center

BackgroundOccupational injuries impose a substantial global burden, affecting millions of workers annually, which demands urgent attention to enhance workplace safety and health standards. We aimed to outline the frequency, patterns of injury, and clinical characteristics of patients injured by high-rotation cutting tools (grinders) and to pinpoint the neurovascular (nerves and blood vessels) injuries. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted and included all adult patients hospitalized because of grinder-related injuries at the only level I Trauma Center in the country. The characteristics of patients, mechanism of injury, management and outcomes were analyzed based on the anatomical location of injuries. Results127 patients were hospitalized with grinder-related injuries over ten years. The incidence of GRIs showed an increasing trend over the years. All patients were males with a mean (SD) age of 34.9 (9.8) years. The majority were general laborers (66.1 %), injured by portable grinders (86.6 %), and direct blade contact (64.6 %). The median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 5.0(IQR 4.0–9.0), and the median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at ED was 15 (3–15). The most frequently injured part was the upper extremity (36.2 %), followed by the lower extremity (33.9 %) and the face (27.6 %). One-third of cases had vascular injuries, and 23.6 % had nerve injuries. Suturing was done for all patients; repairs and debridements were performed in 62 % and 58 % of cases, respectively, and 21 % required vascular surgery. Amputations were required in 9.4 % of cases. Thirty patients had nerve injuries involving the median (11 %) and radial (9.4 %) nerves. Among patients who had neurovascular injuries, 30 % (12/40) experienced complications during the hospital stay, while 60 % (24/40) ended up with physical disabilities. ConclusionIndividuals affected by power-tool accidents were predominantly young males, mainly general laborers, with a significant proportion being expatriates. The trend of grinder-related injuries increases over time, with portable grinders being a primary source of injuries due to direct contact with the blade. The anatomical injuries mainly include fractures of the upper and lower extremities. Further studies are warranted to understand the cultural aspects and training requirements of workers handling power tools, aiming to achieve sustainable injury prevention effectively.

Aim to Improve Workplace Safety and Health for Workers with Disabilities

Aim to Improve Workplace Safety and Health for Workers with Disabilities

Design and Implementation of an Employee Health Management Information System

This study developed an information system for employee health management aimed at enhancing workplace health and increasing corporate competitiveness. The employee health management information system (EHMIS) integrates health data analytics, risk assessments, and personalized health intervention measures to promote a healthier workforce. The platform emphasizes data privacy, seamless integration with existing human resources systems, and provides tools for monitoring health trends, reducing absenteeism, and improving overall productivity. The building process includes needs assessment, system architecture design, information security, functionality integration, and evaluation. The implementation strategy prioritizes employee engagement and continuous improvement, effectively assisting companies in human resource management and ongoing health promotion for employees.

Unveiling workplace safety and health empowerment: Unraveling the key elements influencing occupational injuries

Introduction: Millions of workers globally experience work-related injuries, leading to fatalities, injuries, job loss, and wider societal implications. This study utilizes both the U.S. database and the General Social Survey (GSS) to delve into the factors linked to occupational injuries. Methods: In this study, 30 questions from the GSS between 2002 and 2014 were used. The sample included 5,914 workers from various sectors, distributed between both female and male, and were of 18 years and above. The analysis encompasses several dimensions: demographics, job-related characteristics, administrative factors, and health and safety measures. The study particularly focuses on assessing the prevalence of three common work-related injuries: nonfatal injuries, back pain and arm pain. Logistic regression models were constructed to gauge the effects of identified factors. Results: Significant insights emerge from the analysis. Factors such as age, gender, race, working hours, overtime work, trust in management, coworker support, and workflow smoothness were identified as having notable impacts on work-related injuries. For each model, the study quantifies these impacts through odds ratio and relative effects. For example, in the nonfatal injuries model, the relative effects of age showed that workers aged 65 years or older experience a 2.56% decrease in the frequency of nonfatal injuries compared to younger workers. Furthermore, in the back pain model, the estimated odds of having back pain in males are 0.90 lower than that in females. Moreover, in the arm pain model, workers who have sufficient time to complete their tasks have estimated odds of experiencing arm pain that are 0.85 lower than those who don’t have adequate time, etc. Conclusions: Understanding the intricate interplay of various factors influencing workers’ safety and health is vital for addressing occupational injuries. By addressing these factors, there’s potential for reducing work-related injuries, enhancing work environment, and minimizing costs. Practical Applications: Organizations can use the study’s findings for reducing work related injuries. Flexible work arrangements, tailored training programs, and ergonomic improvements might highlight factors such as age, gender, and working hours. Enhancing communication, fostering a positive work culture, and prioritizing safety and health measures could reduce risks associated with trusting management and coworker support. Cost-benefit analysis and continuous monitoring ensure these interventions’ effectiveness, reduce back and hand pain incidents, minimize cost, and create safer workplaces, thereby boosting the overall well-being of workers and organizational success.

A detailed methodology for estimating health-related hazards of workplace exposure to indoor formaldehyde vapours

A comprehensive risk assessment method was applied to examine the risks associated with airborne formaldehyde occupational exposure among hospital laboratory staff. The method assessed exposure levels and health impacts by integrating area and personal air sampling, biological monitoring, and self-reported health data. Samples were collected from 74 workplaces across various departments using NIOSH method 3500 and were analyzed via UV-vis spectrophotometry. The data showed significant differences in exposure levels between departments (p≤0.05) and confirmed the efficacy of the method in identifying risk differences. Despite average personal exposure levels being measured lower than occupational limits, individual assessments indicated that some participants surpassed these limits, emphasizing the necessity of personal monitoring for workers with higher risks. The high prevalence of respiratory symptoms, such as cough and wheezing among staff, indicated the need for further investigation and targeted interventions. Although estimated cancer and non-cancer risks were within safe thresholds, the study emphasized the importance of continuous exposure monitoring and the implementation of effective control measures in hospital laboratory departments with formaldehyde emission. This integrated method improved the reliability and generalizability of formaldehyde exposure risk assessments and aided in the development of safe occupational health practices.•The method integrated personal and area sampling with advanced calibration for precise occupational exposure evaluation in laboratories.•The method used of biomarkers to assess formaldehyde absorption in the body estimating both cancerous and non-cancerous health risks associated with occupational exposure.•Addressed traditional method limitations and integrated risk components to improve data reliability for workplace safety and health risk management.

Community-Engaged Survey Approach to Pandemic Impacts on Marginalized Communities, Massachusetts, 2020-2021.

Objectives. To describe how an innovative, community-engaged survey illuminated previously unmeasured pandemic inequities and informed health equity investments. Methods. The methodological approach of Massachusetts' COVID-19 Community Impact Survey, a cross-sectional online survey, was driven by key health equity principles: prioritizing community engagement, gathering granular and intersectional data, capturing root causes, elevating community voices, expediting analysis for timeliness, and creating data-to-action pathways. Data collection was deployed statewide in 11 languages from 2020 to 2021. Results. The embedded equity principles resulted in a rich data set and enabled analyses of populations previously undescribed. The final sample included 33 800 respondents including unprecedented numbers of populations underrepresented in traditional data sources. Analyses indicated that pandemic impacts related to basic needs, discrimination, health care access, workplace protections, employment, and mental health disproportionately affected these priority populations, which included Asian American/Pacific Islanders and parents. Conclusions. Equity-centered data approaches allow for analyses of populations previously invisible in surveillance data, enable more equitable public health action, and are both possible and necessary to deploy in state health departments. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S7):S599-S609. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307800).

Hepatitis B vaccination coverage and associated factors among nurses working at health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) poses one of the most serious workplace health risks facing healthcare workers, especially nurses, due to occupational exposure. The HBV vaccination coverage among healthcare workers in Ethiopia ranged from 5.4 to 21.9%. However, little is known about HBV vaccination coverage and associated factors among nurses in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess HBV vaccination coverage and associated factors among nurses working in health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2023.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2 to March 31, 2023, among 428 nurses working in 32 health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were entered into Epi-Info version 7.2.5.0 and then exported to SPSS version 27 for analysis. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and proportions) were used to summarize the data on the study variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the strength of the association, and the statistical significance of associations between the variables was determined using adjusted odds ratio with a 95% CI and p values < 0.05.ResultsHBV-full vaccination coverage among 428 nurses in health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was 36.9%. Male nurses [AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.95], taking training on infection prevention [AOR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.78], having good knowledge about HBV vaccine [AOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.28, 3.04], and testing for HBV [AOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.08, 3.64] were more likely to have HBV full vaccination coverage, whereas monthly salary ≤ 7,071 Ethiopian Birr was 54% less likely to have HBV full vaccination coverage [AOR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.85] at p-value < 0.05.ConclusionThis study revealed that the full HBV vaccination coverage of nurses working in health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was low (36.9%), and consequently, the majority of nurses are at a high risk of being infected with HBV. Therefore, the Ministry of Health and health centers should promote awareness, implement prevention programs, provide diagnostic, treatment, and care services, enhance information generation and utilization, and strengthen the health system to increase vaccination coverage among nurses.

Examining workplace safety for remote area nurses in Australia: a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Australia's remote health sector has chronic understaffing issues and serves an isolated, culturally diverse population with a high burden of disease. Workplace health and safety (WHS) impacts the wellbeing and sustainability of the remote health workforce. Additionally, poor WHS contributes to burnout, high turnover of staff and reduced quality of care. The issue of poor WHS in Australian very remote primary health clinics was highlighted by the murder of remote area nurse (RAN) Gayle Woodford in 2016. Following her death, a national call for change led by peak bodies and Gayle's family resulted in the development of many WHS recommendations and strategies for the remote health sector. However, it is unclear whether they have been implemented. The aim of this study is to identify which WHS recommendations have been implemented, from the perspective of RANs. A cross-sectional online survey of 173 RANs was conducted during December 2020 and January 2021. The survey was open to all RANs who had worked in a very remote (MM 7 of the Modified Monash (MM) Model) primary health clinic in Australia more recently than January 2019. A convenience sampling approach was used. The survey tool was developed by the project team using a combination of validated tools and remote-specific workplace safety recommendations. Broad recommendations, such as having a safe clinic building, safe staff accommodation, local orientation, and 'never alone' policy, were broken down into specific safety criteria. These criteria were used to generate workplace safety scores to quantify how well each recommendation had been met, and clustered into the following domains: preparation of staff, safe work environment and safe work practices. Descriptive statistics were used and the safety scores between different states and territories were also compared. Overall, the average national workplace safety score was 53% (standard deviation (SD) 19.8%) of recommendations met in participants' most recent workplace, with median 38.5% (interquartile range (IQR) 15.4-61.5%) of staff preparation recommendations, median 59.4% (IQR 43.8-78.1%) of safe work environment recommendations, and median 50.0% (IQR 30.0-66.7%) of safe work practices recommendations met. Within domains, some recommendations had greater uptake than others, and the safety scores of different states/territories also varied. Significant variation was found between the Northern Territory (57.5%, SD 18.7%) and Queensland (41.7%, SD 16.7%) (p<0.01), and between South Australia (74.5%, IQR 35.9%) and Queensland (p<0.05). Last, many RANs were still expected to attend after-hours call-outs on their own, with only 64.1% (n=107/167) of participants reporting a 'never alone' policy or process in their workplace. The evidence from this study revealed that some recommended safety strategies had been implemented, but significant gaps remained around staff preparation, fatigue management and infrastructure safety. Ongoing poor WHS likely contributes to the persistently high turnover of RANs, negatively affecting the quality and continuity of health care in remote communities. Variation in safety scores between regions warns of a fragmentation of approaches to WHS within the remote health sector, despite the almost identical WHS legislation in different states/territories. These gaps highlight the need to establish and enforce a national minimum standard of workplace safety in the remote health sector.

An Occupational Health Literacy Intervention in Nursing Homes Improved Organizational Health Literacy-A Quasi-Experimental Stepped Wedge Cluster Trial.

This study examined the effectiveness of a workplace health literacy intervention on individual, interpersonal, and organizational health literacy. Using a quasi-experimental stepped wedge cluster design, we evaluated an intervention for 509 nursing home employees with two elements: 1) courses for employees and management on pain prevention, management, and communication and 2) structured dialogues between employees and supervisors, emphasizing pain prevention. One organizational health literacy item improved, with supervisors helping with pain prevention increasing by 0.42 points (95% CI 0.11;0.73). Positive trends were observed in supervisor actions when informed about pain (0.39 points, 95% CI -0.09;0.86), ease of finding workplace pain solutions (0.12 points, 95% CI -0.03;0.79), and employees having pain management information (0.44 points, 95% CI -0.03;0.92). The intervention improved one organizational health literacy item, with positive trends in three other items.

A bibliometric analysis of coronary heart disease impacted by work stress elements and lifestyle disease.

One psychosocial risk factor that has drawn attention is work-related stress, although it is still unclear how exactly this risk factor relates to poor health. Prospective observational studies have found a 40%-50% raise in the incidence of coronary heart disease in those who experience chronic stress at work and in their personal lives. In the recent decade, there has been a rise in the requirement for firms to gather information on job stress on employees that leads to coronary heart disease. As a result, this study on trends in Coronary Heart Disease induced by Work Stress becomes necessary to examine all of these efforts. This research employs bibliometric analysis and charting to describe the growth and structure of the research field of work-related stress causing coronary heart disease. The field's conceptual framework and research boundaries, the connections between publications and the contributors, key phrases, the latest networks of collaboration, the most prevalent concepts, and the most cited authors are all revealed by our findings. Research found that this field has seen a significant increase in research on coronary heart disease in recent years. Because it has been demonstrated that there is a rise in deaths from cardiovascular disease, researchers, academics, and professionals should be made aware of how stress can lead to coronary heart disease. The study suggests that workplace health should be a priority for both developed and developing nations, and it must be disseminated in several languages.

An Iterative Approach to Usability Evaluation: A Workplace Wellness Mobile Application Example.

Without a gold standard for mobile app usability testing, this paper outlines a case study of how a not-for-profit organization tested the usability of a public-facing mobile app designed to promote the health and wellbeing of workers in Canada by offering accessible resources conveniently through one's mobile phone. Although the app was developed by a third-party vendor, usability testing and refinement was left to the organization due to budgetary and time constraints. The app underwent three rounds of iterative usability testing. The first phase consisted of observing participants using the app followed by an interview. The second and third phases involved participants following task-based instructions and answering survey questions. All phases uncovered issues which helped to improve and refine the usability of the app before the launch to the public. This work offers a case study example of how low-cost in-house usability testing could be employed.

Implementing workplace health promotion in nursing – A process evaluation in different care settings

ObjectiveWorkplace health promotion (WHP) in Germany is receiving increasing support from health insurance funds. Nevertheless, there is hardly any knowledge on the process of how health outcomes are achieved, especially in nursing. The aim of the study was to find out how and what can be implemented in different care settings and to examine the reactions and interactions of the participants under routine conditions.MethodsGuided by a logic model, a holistic WHP approach was implemented in four acute care hospitals, seven inpatient care facilities and four outpatient care services from April 2021 to October 2022. Data on realized WHP interventions, participant assessment and topics of work design was collected and analyzed descriptively.ResultsThe realized WHP interventions were adapted depending on the content and context. Mainly short relaxation interventions were delivered or those with an event character were received by participants. The highest participation rate of planned participants was achieved in team building training. Participants predominantly assessed WHP interventions as useful, the quality as (very) good and were generally (very) satisfied with the intervention components. For work design topics, intentions for the design of work organization were mainly documented in action plans.ConclusionCooperation with practitioners in research should be continued as a contribution to quality development. This could provide suggestions as to which content adjustments lead to greater acceptance by the target group in a specific context.Trial registrationThe project was registered in the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00024961, 2021/04/09).

Approaches for the Use of AI in Workplace Health Promotion and Prevention: Systematic Scoping Review.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an umbrella term for various algorithms and rapidly emerging technologies with huge potential for workplace health promotion and prevention (WHPP). WHPP interventions aim to improve people's health and well-being through behavioral and organizational measures or by minimizing the burden of workplace-related diseases and associated risk factors. While AI has been the focus of research in other health-related fields, such as public health or biomedicine, the transition of AI into WHPP research has yet to be systematically investigated. The systematic scoping review aims to comprehensively assess an overview of the current use of AI in WHPP. The results will be then used to point to future research directions. The following research questions were derived: (1) What are the study characteristics of studies on AI algorithms and technologies in the context of WHPP? (2) What specific WHPP fields (prevention, behavioral, and organizational approaches) were addressed by the AI algorithms and technologies? (3) What kind of interventions lead to which outcomes? A systematic scoping literature review (PRISMA-ScR [Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews]) was conducted in the 3 academic databases PubMed, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and Association for Computing Machinery in July 2023, searching for papers published between January 2000 and December 2023. Studies needed to be (1) peer-reviewed, (2) written in English, and (3) focused on any AI-based algorithm or technology that (4) were conducted in the context of WHPP or (5) an associated field. Information on study design, AI algorithms and technologies, WHPP fields, and the patient or population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes framework were extracted blindly with Rayyan and summarized. A total of 10 studies were included. Risk prevention and modeling were the most identified WHPP fields (n=6), followed by behavioral health promotion (n=4) and organizational health promotion (n=1). Further, 4 studies focused on mental health. Most AI algorithms were machine learning-based, and 3 studies used combined deep learning algorithms. AI algorithms and technologies were primarily implemented in smartphone apps (eg, in the form of a chatbot) or used the smartphone as a data source (eg, Global Positioning System). Behavioral approaches ranged from 8 to 12 weeks and were compared to control groups. Additionally, 3 studies evaluated the robustness and accuracy of an AI model or framework. Although AI has caught increasing attention in health-related research, the review reveals that AI in WHPP is marginally investigated. Our results indicate that AI is promising for individualization and risk prediction in WHPP, but current research does not cover the scope of WHPP. Beyond that, future research will profit from an extended range of research in all fields of WHPP, longitudinal data, and reporting guidelines. OSF Registries osf.io/bfswp; https://osf.io/bfswp.