Impact of Work-Related Pain on Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists

Campo, Marc; Darragh, Amy

doi:10.2522/ptj.20090092

Cited by 35 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…However, fitness levels of physiotherapists have not been well explored in many developing countries like Ghana, warranting the need to investigate the fitness levels of physiotherapists working in urban areas of Ghana. Previous studies have suggested that physiotherapists are usually susceptible to work-related musculoskeletal disorders [7, 8]. Similarly, an assessment of the components of PF by Gorner et al [9] reported that low levels of physical activity among physiotherapy undergraduate students was accompanied by lower level of aerobic capacity than that obtained in their physical education counterparts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical fitness of Ghanaian physiotherapists and its correlation with age and exercise engagement: a pilot study

2016

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BackgroundThe physical job demands of physiotherapists require optimal level of physical fitness (PF), which is often not evaluated in practice. In this study, we assessed selected components of physical fitness of Ghanaian physiotherapists in relation to their sex, age and frequency of exercise participation.MethodsPhysiotherapists practicing in four major hospitals within the Accra Metropolis of Ghana were enrolled into this cross-sectional survey. Three major components of physical fitness (flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance and body composition) were assessed with sit and reach test, 3-min step test and BMI respectively. Unpaired sample t-test was used to determine differences in means of the three components of physical fitness betwwen males and females. Pearson correlation coefficient showed that frequency of exercise engagement and age of the participants correlated with the three components of physical fitness at p < 0.05.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 40 participants, out of which 23 (58 %) were females. The mean age was (31.5 ± 1.4) years and majority 21 (52.5 %) was within the age range of 20-29 years. Respective mean scores for cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility and BMI were (98.2 ± 12.9 beat/min), (4.03 ± 6.15 cm) and (23.3 ± 3.4 kg/m2). Female participants were significantly more flexible than their male counterparts (5.7 ± 5.3; 1.6 ± 6.6, p = 0.034). There was a positive and significant correlation between the age of the participants and BMI (r = 0.614 and p = 0.017). However, cardiorespiratory endurance was not significantly correlated with age and frequency of exercise engagement.ConclusionsThe sampled physiotherapists had relatively low physical fitness compared to the age adjusted values. Age and sex are therefore crucial determinants whilst designing programmes aimed at promoting physical fitness in this group.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical fitness of Ghanaian physiotherapists and its correlation with age and exercise engagement: a pilot study

2016

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“…There are hundreds of studies on WMSDs among nurses and other health care workers, but we only identified nine studies investigating WMSDs among American Physical Therapists (PTs) and none of them were conducted in Florida [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Even though PTs may have more indepth knowledge and receive more training on proper body mechanics, they perform many of the same physically demanding and repetitive tasks completed by nurses, being exposed to some of the same occupational risks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physical therapists: an online survey

Vieira

Svoboda

Belniak

et al. 2015

Disability and Rehabilitation

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Rehabilitation of injured physical therapists needs to address the symptoms of the multiple body parts that are usually affected (e.g. back, wrists and hands). Rehabilitation of injured physical therapists needs to take into consideration their job demands, practice setting and specialty area. The findings can inform the design of rehabilitation, prevention, training and educational programs for physical therapists.

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“…Physiotherapists have traditionally been viewed by themselves and others, as immune from MSI owing to a perception that expertise, knowledge and skill in patient handling would offer protection from injury (Campo & Darragh 2010). In addition, research (Tyson et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An exploration of undergraduate nursing and physiotherapy students’ views regarding education for patient handling

Kneafsey

Ramsay

Edwards

et al. 2012

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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Aims and objectives. To ascertain the views of undergraduate student nurses and physiotherapists regarding their education in patient handling. Background. Musculo‐skeletal injuries are an important cause of staff sickness absence and attrition from the nursing profession and are a recognised problem within the physiotherapy profession. Nurses and physiotherapists are at risk of musculo‐skeletal injuries as a result of their role in assisting patients with movement. Methods. A questionnaire survey was undertaken of undergraduate nursing and physiotherapy students (n = 371) at one university. Results. Most students agreed that university teaching about moving and handling prepared them for clinical practice (64%). Over a third reported that they had never undertaken a written moving and handling risk assessment in clinical practice (38%). Almost half of the sample (40%) admitted undertaking unsafe moving and handling activities. Half (50%) also stated that they would rather ‘fit’ into the team than challenge unsafe practice. Almost a third (29%) stated that they had begun to experience pain since becoming a student. There were significant differences between nursing and physiotherapy students. Physiotherapy students were more likely to report being supervised when moving and handling and reported being more assertive about adhering to safe practice. Conclusions. The well‐being of both nursing and physiotherapy undergraduate students is threatened when students undertake work placements in clinical settings. University‐based education in safe patient handling, though important, can be undermined by workplace settings where unsafe practices occur. Collaboration is needed between university educators, managers and practice‐based mentors to support students to maintain safe approaches to moving and handling patients. Relevance to clinical practice. A third of students reported developing pain since becoming a healthcare student. Students entering their professions already injured may leave the workforce owing to poor physical well‐being. It is vital that the clinical workplace supports safe systems of working.

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Impact of Work-Related Pain on Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists

Abstract: Work-related pain affects therapists in several personal and professional domains. It also may affect career plans. Strategies to reduce the risk of injury and physical loading of jobs are needed.

Cited by 35 publications

References 21 publications

Physical fitness of Ghanaian physiotherapists and its correlation with age and exercise engagement: a pilot study

Physical fitness of Ghanaian physiotherapists and its correlation with age and exercise engagement: a pilot study

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among physical therapists: an online survey

An exploration of undergraduate nursing and physiotherapy students’ views regarding education for patient handling

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