More Medical Workers Suffer Computer-Related Injuries

The widespread adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) and related digital technologies is likely to significantly boost repetitive strain musculoskeletal injuries among doctors and nurses.

Researchers at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY, USA) asked 179 physicians about the frequency and severity of their musculoskeletal discomfort, computer use in their clinic, knowledge of ergonomics, and typing skills. The most commonly reported repetitive strain injuries were neck, shoulder, and upper and lower back pain, with a majority of female doctors and more than 40% of male doctors reporting such ailments on at least a weekly basis. About 40% of women and 30% of men reported right wrist injuries at a similar frequency. The study was presented at the Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 56th annual meeting, held during October 2012 in Boston (MA, USA).

“Many hospitals are investing heavily in new technology with almost no consideration for principles of ergonomics design for computer workplaces,” said study presenter and coauthor Alan Hedge, PhD, a professor of human factors and ergonomics. “We saw a similar pattern starting in the 1980’s when commercial workplaces computerized, and there was an explosion of musculoskeletal injuries for more than a decade afterward.”

In a second study of 180 physicians and 63 nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the same health system, more than 90% of respondents reported using a desktop computer at work. On average, they spent more than five hours per day using computers. In all, 56% of doctors and 71% of nurse practitioners and physician assistants said their computer use at work had increased in the past year; 22% of doctors and 19% of nurse practitioners and physician assistants reported less time in face-to-face interactions with patients. Of these, only about 5% of participants reported an "expert knowledge" of ergonomics, and more than two-thirds said they had no input in the planning or design of their computer or clinical workstation.

“We can't assume that just because people are doctors or work in health care that they know about ergonomics,” added Prof. Hedge. “With so many potential negative effects for doctors and patients, it is critical that the implementation of new technology is considered from a design and ergonomics perspective.”

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Cornell University