Collaborating With Sonographers and Vascular Technologists to Develop Ergonomics Interventions to Address Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Abstract

For more than two decades, surveys of imaging technologists have consistently reported high prevalence of workrelated musculoskeletal discomfort (WRMSD). Yet, workplace intervention research involving sonographers is limited. In this study, a transdisciplinary team of researchers used a participatory approach to work with diagnostic medical sonographers (DMS) and vascular technologists (VT) to identify needs and opportunities for developing new approaches to work that will reduce sonographers' exposures to WRMSD risk factors. In this paper, we describe the approach and the resulting identified needs. We also describe the prototyping and testing of two work approaches that target specific needs of DMS and VT, respectively. We would like designers, manufacturers, engineers, and ergonomists, in collaboration with sonographers and their managers, to recognize this area of opportunity and come together to apply their knowledge of biomechanics and design in developing useful and usable workplace interventions (solutions) to reduce sonographers' WRMSD risk factor exposure.

The incidence of Australian private practice sonographers moving patients unassisted and their level of training: A pilot study

“…Research has resulted in the development of sonographer ergonomics, however, sonographers still have WRMSD symptoms ranging from mild to career ending 5 . Further workplace intervention research, involving sonographers, is limited even after surveys consistently report a high prevalence of WRMSD's 3 . Research on whether manual handling contributes to WRMSD is warranted.…”

“…Several states have replaced manual lifting with devices and teams and declared that employers should provide annual education and training 1 . No evidence could be found to suggest that employers within Australia are required to provide annual patient‐handling training specifically for sonographers 1‐3,11,15 . This suggests that training may stop at a university level or Australian practices may voluntarily have their own education and training 17 .…”

“…Sonographers are frequently faced with a range of patient‐handling tasks, including support, stabilisation, transfers, and physical assistance for poor patient positioning 1‐3 . In private practice, these tasks are often performed alone and unaided by equipment 2 .…”

“…In private practice, these tasks are often performed alone and unaided by equipment 2 . There is conflicting research as to what level of manual handling is within a sonographer's scope of practice and, therefore, what training they have and/or require in order to move patients 1‐3 …”

“…Other unassisted manoeuvres include moving patients with no additional personnel to assist or with no lifting or positioning devices 1 . There are currently no requirements for employers within Australia to provide annual patient‐handling training specifically for sonographers 1‐3 . Legislation has customarily focused on risk factors relating to patient‐handling tasks among professions such as nurses, orderlies and attendants 1,2,4 .…”