Maxillo-mandibular osteoradionecrosis following C-ion radiotherapy: Clinical notes and review of literature

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is one of the most feared complications after head and neck radiotherapy. Among head and neck sites, the mandible is the most commonly involved bone. Heavy ion radiotherapy delivers high-dose distribution focused to the target while simultaneously sparing of the adjacent organs but there are anyway some reported cases of ORN. Cases in literature reported well-known risk factors for its developing (e.g. tobacco and alcohol abuse, diabetes), but other are still debated (e.g. teeth extraction during radiotherapy). Prevention is mandatory but multimodal care may be required, tailoring all treatments on the patient needs. This study, after a brief revision of the literature, reports and a case of maxillo-mandibular ORN following carbon-ion (C-ion) radiotherapy and its treatment

Contribution to validation of the Italian version of work ability personal radar

BACKGROUND: Work ability (WA) is an important construct in Occupational Health. Over the years, various WA detection tools have been developed, and a new one is the Work Ability Personal Radar (WA-PR), capable of investigating all the dimensions that define the complexity of WA. In this new version, not only the physical dimensions are considered but also the psycho-social aspects of work capable of impacting WA. The WA-PR was born in the Finnish context. However, recently, it has also been validated elsewhere. In light of the literature on WA assessment tools, our goal is to contribute to validating the WA-PR in the Italian context. METHODS: Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire administered to 405 workers in the chemical industrial sector. RESULTS: Results show that the WA-PR correlate with WAI and other constructs conceptually related to work ability: the need for recovery, stress, and general health. CONCLUSIONS: Data analysis confirms that the WA-PR is a valuable and reliable tool for evaluating work ability in the Italian context

Physical Health and Work Ability among Healthcare Workers. A Cross-Sectional Study

Healthcare workers’ age is increasingly rising, negatively affecting their physical health. In particular, workability is an emerging phenomenon that predominantly affects healthcare workers. This study aims to assess physical health status and workability among ageing healthcare workers. A cross-sectional study using the Work Ability Index (WAI) was performed. Data were collected in a university hospital in northern Italy. Data were collected voluntary through a questionnaire. Healthcare workers participating in the survey were contacted personally by two resident physicians. Thus, the total number of study participants was 220 among nursing aides, nurses, and physicians. Data were analyzed by performing ANOVA and regression to assess the differences between the healthcare workers and age groups. A generalized linear model was tested to evaluate the effect of age and task on workability. The majority of healthcare workers had good WAI values. Physicians’ workability was higher than nursing aides. Nursing aides suffered more from cardiovascular disorders, while physicians and nurses had more musculoskeletal disorders. However, the distribution was statistically different (χ2 = 24.03, p = 0.00), as most of the physicians’ workability values were good and good, while those of nursing aides and nurses were good and medium. In line with previous studies, the decrease in WAI with ageing is strictly dependent on the type of task assigned. Due to heavy physical tasks, nurses and nurses’ aides showed a greater WAI than physicians. This study highlights the critical issues faced by ageing healthcare professionals. In the near future, it is necessary to find solutions to cope with these changes and devise possible interventions aimed at ameliorating workability

Emerging needs in OSH: a new master in occupational safety and health by ILO and University of Turin

Javne i privatne organizacije diljem svijeta sve se više bave unapređenjem zaštite na radu i u stalnoj su potrazi za obrazovanim stručnjacima. Stručnjakom zaštite na radu postaje se tijekom multidisciplinarnog osposobljavanja. Od 2012. Sveučilište u Torinu u suradnji s Međunarodnim centrom za osposobljavanje pri Međunarodnoj organizaciji rada (ITC-ILO) i Međunarodnoj komisiji za zaštitu na radu (ICOH) odgovorilo je na izazov i otvorilo studij na razini magisterija iz zaštite na radu. Cilj je utvrditi sustavnost i učinkovitost predloženog obrazovanja. Program je otvoren sudionicima iz razvijenih zemalja i zemalja u razvoju. Pored pripremne obrazovne faze putem interneta kojom sudionici različitih predznanja postižu odgovarajuću razinu znanja, ovaj program uključuje i rezidencijalni dio, na koji se nastavlja još jedno razdoblje učenja na daljinu kao priprema za disertaciju. Rezidencijalna faza u Torinu sastoji se od rada u učionici, studijskih posjeta odabranim poduzećima i, s tim u vezi, odgovarajućem osposobljavanju. Između 2007. i 2018. više od 300 sudionika prijavilo se za postdiplomski studij, a zatim za magisterij iz zaštite na radu. Dolazili su iz različitih sredina: javnih institucija, privatnih tvrtki i sveučilišta. Sudionika 65,7 % (SD 8,1%) upisalo je rezidencijalni program, a prosječna im je dob bila 38 godina (SD 7,4), 55,9 % (SD 5,2) završilo je magisterij. Korištene su različite strategije vrednovanja programa. Proječna ocjena zadovoljstva bila je visoka (4,28; SD 0,67). Na kraju osposobljavanja sudionici su naučili upravljati postupcima i tehnikama zaštite na radu kao i sustavima upravljanja zdravljem. Rezultati upitnika o učinkovitosti programa pokazuju korisnost i zadovoljstvo programom.Public and private sector organizations worldwide are increasingly concerned with improving occupational safety and health (OSH) and increasingly seek skilled OSH professionals. Becoming an OSH professional requires a multidisciplinary training. Since 2012, the University of Turin, along with the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO), the International Labour Office (ILO) and the International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH) collected this challenge and opened a master course in OSH. The aim is to assess the consistency and effectiveness of the emerging educational proposal. The proposed programme is opened to participants from both developing and developed countries. Besides a preparatory Internet-based Distance Learning Phase, enabling participants with different backgrounds to reach an adequate level of knowledge, this one-year programme includes a residential period, followed by another distance phase for the preparation of the dissertation. Residential Phase of Turin includes classroom training, study visits to selected enterprises and related training sessions. From 2007 to 2018 more than 300 participants applied first to the Postgraduate course and then to the Master in OSH, with variable occupational backgrounds such as public institutions, private companies and Universities. 65,7% (SD 8,1%) of the participants were enrolled to the Residential Phase, with a mean age of 38 years (SD 7,4), 55,9% (SD 5,2%) achieved the Master Degree. Different evaluation strategies were used. The average satisfaction survey score was high (4,28; SD 0,67). At the end of the training period, participants learnt to manage the use of OSH procedures and techniques and health management systems. The results of the profit and satisfaction questionnaires demonstrate the effectiveness of the course