Maintenance and promotion of work ability activies at workplace - medical or multidiciplinary set up?

Introduction
Maintenance and Promotion of Work Ability (MWA) is understood in this study as a broad approach to promote workplaces' activities connected to health and well-being at work. MWA means the combined efforts of employers, employees and occupational health services. It is combination of improving the work organisation and the work environment, promoting active participation and encouraging personal development. The National Maintenance and Promotion of Work Ability Survey (MWA-Barometer) was prepared to collect information on the prevalence, resources, content, implementation and benefits of MWA activities. Aim of the study was to chart differences in MWA carried out by medical or multidiciplinary set up at Finnish workplaces 1998-2008.

Methods
The data of the study were collected by a computer-assisted telephone interview in 2008-2009. The study was also carried out in 1998, 2001 and 2004. Altogether over 3 300 workplaces and more than 9 100 persons were interviewed. The stratified random sample of workplaces represents the entire working population in Finland. The manager, the representative of the employees and the occupational health nurse were interviewed at the workplace. Statistical analysis were used to analyze the data.

Results
Employers' and employees' attitudes were more positive to MWA, amount of MWA activities was bigger, content of MWA was more versatile, estimated cost and benefit ratio of MWA was better, if planning and execution of MWA were done together (employers, employees, managers, safety representatives and OHS were participated). More versatile MWA activities were more effective than one-sided MWA activities.

Discussion
The study shows that multidisciplinary way of action achieved better MWA results than purely medical approach. It also points out that broad content of MWA activities seemed to be more effective than narrow content of actions. MWA is at its best when activities were targeted to work organization, work environment, professional comptence, personal resourses and health behavior.