[In-depth assessment of work-related stress in a major company undergoing restructuring].

Background: An in-depth assessment of work-related stress was conducted in a major national telecommunications company undergoing major changes. The assessment was made on three homogeneous groups of workers and covered a large representative sample of the corresponding populations.

Objectives: To identify the main sources of stress for the three populations of workers, stimulate a discussion on the possible corrective actions, and assess the impact of the on-going organizational changes on workers' health.

Design for reflection.

Since a few years, a number of academic papers have been proposing to shift from user-centered design to human-centered (or person) design. In this contribution, we discuss as the common tread underlying these works the idea that design should also address the reflective part of our human experience, and not only aim to maximize the experiential aspects. Our review is complemented with examples derived from the internet world and from ICT consumer products.

Are hospitals becoming high reliability organizations?

High Reliability Organizations (HROs) are complex systems in which many accidents and adverse events that could occur within those systems or at the interfaces with other systems are actually avoided or prevented. Many organizations in high-risk industries have successfully implemented HRO approaches. In recent years, initiatives have been undertaken aimed at transforming hospitals into HROs.

Attitudes and approach to cardiovascular risk factors in Italy: results of an electronic questionnaire survey.

Background: The advent of computer-based technology has led to innovative epidemiological research methods to exploit the advantages of computer-mediated communications. The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate a self-administered electronic questionnaire for acquiring information on cardiovascular health, knowledge and behaviours in a representative, stratified sample of the Italian population.

Methods: We report information on the attitudes and approach to cardiovascular disease prevention in a representative sample of Italian families who were interviewed at home by electronic questionnaires.