Perceived work ability and work‐family conflict in healthcare workers: An observational study in a teaching hospital in Italy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the variables associated with work ability, work‐family conflict and the relationship between these variables. METHODS: An observational prospective study was conducted and involved 436 employees of a Teaching Hospital in Rome. Data collection was performed using the following tools: the Work Ability Index (WAI) and the Work‐to‐family conflict and Family‐to‐work conflict Scale (WFC—FWC Scale). Data were analyzed through univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate linear regression, using the SPSS software version 25. RESULTS: A direct relationship of the WFC score with two variables (female gender and physicians) and an inverse relationship with other two variables (age and administrative staff) were found. There is a direct relationship between the FWC score and the variable “having sons”. The WFC and FWC scores showed a direct relationship between them. The Work Ability presented an almost significant association only with the profession variable, in which administrative staff, followed by physicians, presented a higher WAI score with respect to other professional categories, such as nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Wellbeing intervention for health workers should be directed mainly to women, older workers and those with sons. In addition, more attention should be given to nurses, who showed lower work ability scores.