Perceived work ability: a survey among health professionals for rehabilitation
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Abstract
Objective
Perceived work ability represents the index of the interaction between worker’s own resources and job’s demands. This perception can be influenced by subjective factors (state of health, individual skills, attitude) and objective factors (work context, organization).
The purpose of this study was to investigate and evaluate perceived work ability and predictors among healthcare professionals in the rehabilitation field.
Materials and Methods
We selected a sample of 57 healthcare professionals from the rehabilitation field. Perceived work ability was investigated through the administration of the Work Ability Index (WAI).
Results
Overall, 57.89% of the total subject (33/57) rank perceived a “Excellent” level of work ability; 26.32% (15/57) perceived a “Good” level of work ability; 10.53% (6/57) perceived a “Mediocre” level of work ability; 5.26% (3/57) perceived a “Poor” level of work ability. A negative correlation (P < 0.01) was highlighted between the total score of the Work Ability Index and the age of the participants. A negative correlation (P < 0.01) was also highlighted between the total score of the Work Ability Index and the years of service of the participants.
Discussion
In accordance with various literature studies, this study highlighted that age was a predictor in worker’s perceived work ability even for healthcare professionals in the rehabilitation field. As the age of the participants increases, there is a lower perceived work ability. We can say the same for the relationship between years of service and scores measured by the Work Ability Index: as the years of service increase, the work ability of the subject decreases.
Conclusions
A low perception of work ability is frequent in older workers with more years of service. This phenomenon affects both the performance of the individual worker and the quality of the service offered by the company in which he works. It is essential to define a multidimensional approach that aims to improve the management of human resources in healthcare in order to maintain good levels of perceived work ability.
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