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Leso V, Carugno M, Carrer P, Fusco F, Mendola M, Coppola M, Zaffina S, Di Prinzio RR, Iavicoli I. The Total Worker Health® (TWH) approach: a systematic review of its application in different occupational settings. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:2037. [PMID: 39080673 PMCID: PMC11287918 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19500-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in 2011, developed the "Total Worker Health®" (TWH) as a holistic approach to protect and promote the workers' safety, health, and well-being. After over ten years from the TWH development, the aim of the present systematic review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the worldwide TWH initiatives. METHODS PubMed, Scopus and ISI Web of Science were searched for TWH studies published up to the 31st of July 2023, and 43 investigations could be included. The review was registered on the International prospective register of systematic reviews PROSPERO with the reference number CRD42023416972. RESULTS Issues that emerged as relevant for the TWH operationalization were the awareness about the TWH approach and fundamentals, the leadership commitment, and a participatory engagement of the workforce: these aspects all contributed to acceptable and effective setting oriented TWH plans, specifically tailored on the peculiarities of the workplace, including small enterprises and multiemployer worksites. Evaluation and continual improvement were reported as fundamental for the successful implementation of TWH initiatives. Limited resources for safety and health initiatives, in terms of time, people, and funds, together with difficulties in the identification of safety and health priorities and a poor participatory culture were recognized as obstacles to the TWH application. Training resulted the core component of the TWH leadership and workforce preparedness, with beneficial results in terms of safety culture and adoption of preventive measures. CONCLUSIONS Although interesting aspects emerged from our review, future longitudinal investigations should confirm the effectiveness, easy integration, and long-term sustainability of TWH models in different workplaces, in order to effectively support safe and health-enhancing works able to improve innovation and productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veruscka Leso
- Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Carugno
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Via San Barnaba 8, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via San Barnaba 8, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Carrer
- Occupational Health Unit, Fatebenefratelli-Sacco University Hospital, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Fusco
- Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Mendola
- Occupational Health Unit, Fatebenefratelli-Sacco University Hospital, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariagaia Coppola
- Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Zaffina
- Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Piazza S.Onofrio, 4, Rome, 00165, Italy
| | - Reparata Rosa Di Prinzio
- Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Piazza S.Onofrio, 4, Rome, 00165, Italy
- Alta Scuola Di Economia E Management Dei Sistemi Sanitari (ALTEMS), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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Siddique S, Rice S, Bhardwaj M, Gore R, Coupal H, Punnett L. Health Care Organization Policies for Employee Safety and COVID-19 Pandemic Response: A Mixed-Methods Study. J Occup Environ Med 2023; 65:1-9. [PMID: 36317257 PMCID: PMC9835239 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic impacted the well-being of health care workers. We examined the association between prepandemic perceptions of perceived organizational support for safety (using NOSACQ-50), safety hazards and the pandemic's impact on individual workers and institutions. METHODS Questionnaires from health care staff of five public health care facilities were collected in 2018 ( n = 1059) and 2021 ( n = 1553). In 2021, 17 workers were interviewed from the same facilities. RESULTS Interviewees reported that their organizations struggled to communicate due to changing guidelines, inadequate personal protective equipment, training, and infection control, early in the pandemic. Questionnaire reports of decreased staffing and increased workload during the pandemic were associated with lower baseline NOSACQ scores. CONCLUSION Survey findings predicted some variation in organizational response to the pandemic. Better organizational policies for employee safety and pandemic planning could improve health care institutions' preparedness.
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Punnett L. Response to NIOSH Request for Information on Interventions to Prevent Work-Related Stress and Support Health Worker Mental Health. New Solut 2022; 32:223-229. [PMID: 36147033 DOI: 10.1177/10482911221126271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The root causes of health care worker strain and depression include excessive job demands, extended work schedules, little decision-making opportunity, assault, bullying, and fear of injury. Potential links between working conditions and opioid overuse have also been discussed, beginning with psychological job strain or with physical pain leading to medication use. Promising solutions have been identified and many would be cost-effective, as enhanced working conditions could improve workers' mental health, job satisfaction, retention, and patient outcomes. Considering the number of health care workers leaving work during the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is urgent to address preventable root causes. In 2021, the US Congress called for educating health workers and first responders on the primary prevention of mental health conditions and substance use disorders. The CDC issued a Request for Information; this submission summarized research from CPH-NEW, a NIOSH Center of Excellence in Total Worker Health®, supplemented by a selective literature review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Punnett
- Biomedical Engineering, 14710University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
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Namazi S, Kotejoshyer R, Farr D, Henning RA, Tubbs DC, Dugan AG, El Ghaziri M, Cherniack M. Development and Implementation of a Total Worker Health ® Mentoring Program in a Correctional Workforce. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:8712. [PMID: 34444462 PMCID: PMC8393198 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Correctional officers (COs) are exposed to a number of occupational stressors, and their health declines early in their job tenure. Interventions designed to prevent early decline in CO health are limited. This article describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a one-year peer health mentoring program (HMP) guided by Total Worker Health® principles and using a participatory action research to collectively address worker safety, health, and well-being of newly hired COs. The HMP aimed to provide new COs with emotional and tangible forms of support during their first year of employment, including peer coaching to prevent early decline in physical fitness and health. The development and implementation of the HMP occurred across five main steps: (1) participatory design focus groups with key stakeholders; (2) adaptation of an existing mentoring handbook and training methods; (3) development of mentor-mentee recruitment criteria and assignment; (4) designing assessment tools; and (5) the initiation of a mentor oversight committee consisting of union leadership, corrections management, and research staff. Correctional employee engagement in the design and implementation process proved to be efficacious in the implementation and adaptation of the program by staff. Support for the HMP remained high as program evaluation efforts continued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Namazi
- Department of Health Sciences, Springfield College, Springfield, MA 01109, USA
| | - Rajashree Kotejoshyer
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (R.K.); (D.F.); (A.G.D.); (M.C.)
| | - Dana Farr
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (R.K.); (D.F.); (A.G.D.); (M.C.)
| | - Robert A. Henning
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (R.A.H.); (D.C.T.)
| | - Diana C. Tubbs
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (R.A.H.); (D.C.T.)
| | - Alicia G. Dugan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (R.K.); (D.F.); (A.G.D.); (M.C.)
| | - Mazen El Ghaziri
- Susan and Alan Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA;
| | - Martin Cherniack
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA; (R.K.); (D.F.); (A.G.D.); (M.C.)
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