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Abstract Background About one-third of workers identify organisational factors as contributors to workplace violence (WPV), but the associations between these factors and WPV have primarily been explored retrospectively and with measures of perceived organisational constraints, hence providing limited information for prevention. Therefore, we assessed whether objectively measured ward-level indicators of turnover, downsizing, overtime, and night shifts are associated with the occurrence of WPV and whether these associations vary by ward type. Methods We conducted an ecological study at a university hospital in northern Italy from 2016 to 2022, using wards as statistical unit (average: 230 wards per year). Active surveillance of WPV was based on an in-hospital incident reporting procedure, updated in November 2021 based on Health Regional Administration guidelines; 2021 was therefore excluded as a transition year. Individual-level administrative data were used to compute ward-level yearly indicators of turnover, downsizing, overtime and night shifts per active worker. Using generalised linear models, we estimated rate ratios (RRs) for yearly WPV counts per 1 SD increase in the indicators, controlling for study period, ward type (emergency department [ED], psychiatric ward, other) and ward sociodemographic composition. Results A total of 337 WPV episodes occurred in the 1381 ward-year observations. The WPV rates per 100 active workers per year increased from 1.40 (95%CI: 1.23–1.60) during 2016–2020 to 3.48 (2.90–4.17) in 2022. Higher turnover (RR, 95%CI: 1.47, 1.23–1.75) and downsizing (1.12, 1.00-1.24) were associated with a greater occurrence of WPV across all wards; these associations were consistent across the study periods. In wards with night shift scheduling, turnover (1.64, 1.40–1.92), downsizing (1.21, 1.04–1.40) and the mean number of night shifts (2.50, 1.37–4.56) were associated with WPV. The association between night shifts and WPV was greater in psychiatric wards (RR = 8.73; interaction p-value = 0.02), whereas the role of downsizing was greater in EDs (RR = 1.42, interaction p-value = 0.09) and the role of turnover was greater in the other wards (RR = 1.34, interaction p-value = 0.16). Conclusion Work organisational factors are associated with the occurrence of WPV episodes against healthcare workers. Ward type-tailored priorities should be given to minimising turnover and downsizing and promoting a fairer allocation of night shifts to decrease WPV occurrence.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared obesity as the largest global chronic health problem in adults. In the last years, attention has been drawn to rehabilitative interventions for patients with obesity. Aim: The aim of this manuscript is to provide physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) physicians with evidence-based recommendations for the rehabilitation of patients with obesity and related comorbidities. Design: Evidence-based guidelines. Population: Adults with overweight or obesity. Methods: Guidelines were based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation and the WHO recommendations. A comprehensive search of the available evidence about rehabilitation treatments for obesity was performed, and 17 separate systematic literature reviews were conducted. For each outcome, estimates of the effects of rehabilitation treatments were computed and employed along with an assessment of quality of evidence, desirable and undesirable effects, values and preferences to formulate the recommendations. Recommendations were reviewed by a consensus expert panel using a modified Delphi process. Results: We strongly recommend providing comprehensive multiprofessional and multidisciplinary interventions including exercise, diet and behavioral or cognitive-behavioral therapy. The nutritional component of these treatments should include diets with either a high-protein or a low-fat content. It is strongly recommended to prescribe frequent moderate aerobic exercise. We strongly recommend providing cognitive-behavioral interventions as the behavioral component of rehabilitation programs. Conclusions: PRM physicians should lead multidisciplinary teams providing comprehensive and individualized rehabilitation programs for patients with overweight or obesity. These guidelines were endorsed by the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine and by the European Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.