Exploring the Synergic Effects of Nursing Home Work on Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Nursing Assistants

Abstract

Little is known about how nursing assistants (NAs) perceive the nature of their work and how their work contributes to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This qualitative study addressed these gaps. Twenty-four NAs with WMSDs working in four nursing homes participated in semistructured focus group interviews. Their WMSDs were not limited to the lower back but involved several body parts. The risk factors for WMSDs included physical, psychosocial, organizational, and personal factors as well as coworkers and clients. However, it is the synergistic effects of long work hours without sufficient rest, work even with musculoskeletal pain because of staff shortages, ineffective management with insufficient prework training and inadequate equipment maintenance, and an aging workforce with strong commitment to resident care that play a crucial role in WMSDs among NAs working in nursing homes. The study found that multidimensional intervention strategies using engineering, administrative, and personal controls should be developed to reduce WMSDs among NAs working in nursing homes.

Effectiveness of a multidimensional intervention program in improving occupational musculoskeletal disorders among intensive care units nurses: a cluster controlled trial with follow-up at 3 and 6 months

“…The results revealed that compared with routine specialist training, the multidimensional intervention program more positively in uenced the rate of WRMDs reported in the past 7 days and exhibited stronger sustainability in reducing such a rate. Consistent with the previous nding that multidimensional interventions are preferable to single interventions in reducing musculoskeletal disorders or the risk of subsequent injuries in nurses [17,41,42]. The reason for the stronger positive effect may be that the formulation of the intervention program was based on a previous investigation of in uencing factors.…”

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Nursing Assistants Working in Nursing Homes

“…This traditional role supports our study findings that, although the NAs rated the work stressful, they reported satisfaction with their work. Although the NA’s work is tough, dirty, hectic, and unskilled [ 9 , 44 ], they still stay in the workforce; partially because it is a meaningful, caring job [ 9 ]. Our local qualitative study [ 44 ] in the same population also found that NAs would continue to work even though they had sick leave due to musculoskeletal symptoms, because they did not want co-workers to take up their work.…”

Occupational Precariousness of Nursing Staff in Catalonia’s Public and Private Nursing Homes

“…This situation results in less retention of staff and more problems of burnout and stress than in other health care services [12]. Furthermore, nursing staff in nursing homes are at a higher risk of developing musculoskeletal problems [13]. Previous literature has identified specific stressors like overwork, understaffing, and low income [14].…”