Work ability in healthcare: Vulnerable groups and organizational factors

Abstract

Background

The recent pandemic, along with heavy workloads and staff shortages, has placed significant pressure on healthcare workers. Maintaining adequate work ability is vital for ensuring favorable working conditions, mitigating stress and safeguarding worker performance and patient safety.

Purpose

This study analyses the key factors influencing work ability in healthcare, exploring individual and organizational determinants, challenges faced by vulnerable groups such as women and older workers or membership of a specific department. In addition, the influence of family composition and work-life balance is examined.

Research Design and Study Sample

To achieve these objectives, 443 healthcare workers of the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena were interviewed through a survey between 1 August and 30 September 2022.

Results

The results show that positive workplace factors - such as supervisor support, teamwork, decision-making autonomy, process involvement, and skill-task alignment - are associated with higher work ability. Female and older employees experience lower work ability, with notable differences in the emergency and medical departments. The emergency department (ED), in particular, stands out as the most demanding, characterized by high work intensification, low support, poor work ability, and a strained work-life balance. Finally, among employees with reduced work ability, 47% report poor work-life balance, and 50% care for at least one dependent adult.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the urgent need for tailored interventions, such as improved leadership training, work-life balance policies, and targeted support for vulnerable groups, to enhance well-being and resilience in healthcare workplaces.