Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Ophthalmologists

Adopting the operating microscope in thyroid surgery: Safety, efficiency, and ergonomics

“…[1][2][3] Occupational injury rates of hospital employees, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, continue to exceed those of other industries. 4 A national survey of 325 otolaryngologists in the United Kingdom demonstrated that 72% had back pain and/or neck pain.…”

“…1 Surgery may require the adoption of awkward body postures and/or static muscular loads, which can result in increased compressive, shear, and tensile forces on musculoskeletal tissues. [2][3][4] It is well recognized in the occupational health literature that static postural stress can lead to injury. Prolonged static neck flexion, in particular, has been implicated as a risk factor in cervical disk disease.…”

A Comparison of Examination Equipment Used During Common Clinical Ophthalmologic Tasks

“…Among healthcare and social assistance workers in the United States, MSDs accounted for 42% of non-fatal injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work with an incidence rate (55 cases per 10,000 full-time workers) higher than the rate for all private industries and second only to the transportation and warehousing industry (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013). Ophthalmologists and other eyecare physicians, in particular, report a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and other symptoms consistent with MSDs of the neck, shoulders, low back, and upper extremities (Chatterjee et al, 1994;Chams et al, 2004;Dhimitri et al, 2005;Marx et al, 2005;Long et al, 2011). Existing studies have reported prevalence estimates of neck symptoms ranging from 33% to 69% and upper extremity/shoulder symptoms ranging from 11% to 33% (Chatterjee et al, 1994;Chams et al, 2004;Dhimitri et al, 2005;Sivak-Callcott et al, 2010;Kitzmann et al, 2012).…”

“…While the mock clinical examinations used in this study provided a stable test environment for comparisons of the conventional and alternative examination conditions, they may have removed many of the complexities ordinarily observed in a live clinical environment, such as occupational psychosocial stress. Previous studies of musculoskeletal outcomes among ophthalmologists have observed positive associations between stress levels and the prevalence of neck, upper extremity, and lower back symptoms (Dhimitri et al, 2005;Kitzmann et al, 2012). Since information about occupational psychosocial stress was not collected in this study, it is unknown if the generally positive effects of the alternative examination equipment examined will transfer to the live environment.…”

“…Ophthalmologists and other eyecare physicians, in particular, report a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and other symptoms consistent with MSDs of the neck, shoulders, low back, and upper extremities (Chatterjee et al, 1994;Chams et al, 2004;Dhimitri et al, 2005;Marx et al, 2005;Long et al, 2011). Existing studies have reported prevalence estimates of neck symptoms ranging from 33% to 69% and upper extremity/shoulder symptoms ranging from 11% to 33% (Chatterjee et al, 1994;Chams et al, 2004;Dhimitri et al, 2005;Sivak-Callcott et al, 2010;Kitzmann et al, 2012). Recent evidence also suggests that eye-care physicians report musculoskeletal pain of the neck and upper extremity more frequently than peers in other medical specialties (Kitzmann et al, 2012).…”