The Back College for nurses – an evaluation of intermediate effects

Abstract

Background Nursing staff and care workers run an increased risk of work related musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain. The Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW) offers its insured persons the opportunity to participate in a three-week Back College with the aim of preventing them having to abandon their profession due to back problems. The aim of the study was to record the effectiveness and sustainability of the Back College on an intermediate basis (6 months). Methods As part of a single-group pre-post measurement on three survey dates – at the start (T0) and end (T1) of rehabilitation and 6 months later (T2) – in 2013 all participants in the Back College at three locations were surveyed using a standard questionnaire. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed to evaluate statistically significant changes. Results For measurement dates T0 to T2 we had 570 complete datasets (response rate 70.81%). There was a significant decrease in reported back pain and the general state of health and quality of life index improved. Participants’ emotional strain decreased and they showed an improved understanding of illness as well as of having acquired knowledge-based abilities and skills for dealing with the disease. After training, they recorded back-friendly behaviour in everyday life and opportunities to relieve strain on the spinal column were utilised at work more often. Participants’ subjective assessment of their ability to work (Work Ability Index) improved. Conclusion The present study proved the intermediate effectiveness of the Back College curriculum. Whether these effects remain stable in the long term will be tested on the subsequent measurement date (T3, after 24 months).

Health Promotion for Outpatient Careworkers in Germany

“…After an implementation period of 6 months, it was able to contribute to a reduction in negative postures during work, and thus, to an improvement of the subjectively perceived state of health [ 92 ]. The effectiveness of back training was also shown in large evaluation studies among nursing staff [ 93 , 94 ]. Kusma, Pietsch, Riepenhof, Haß, Kuhn, Fischer and Nienhaus [ 93 ] recently examined the effectiveness of back training among N = 570 nurses (47.5% trained nurses, 17.7% geriatric nurses, and 11% nursing assistants) from Germany.…”

“…The effectiveness of back training was also shown in large evaluation studies among nursing staff [ 93 , 94 ]. Kusma, Pietsch, Riepenhof, Haß, Kuhn, Fischer and Nienhaus [ 93 ] recently examined the effectiveness of back training among N = 570 nurses (47.5% trained nurses, 17.7% geriatric nurses, and 11% nursing assistants) from Germany. After 6 months, participants reported fewer musculoskeletal complaints due to the regular implementation of back-friendly work practices from back training in their working and everyday lives.…”

“…After 6 months, participants reported fewer musculoskeletal complaints due to the regular implementation of back-friendly work practices from back training in their working and everyday lives. In addition, the reported number of sick days generally decreased, and an improved subjectively perceived state of health were also stated by the nurses [ 93 ]. Some of the interviewed outpatient caregivers spoke about a massage chair in the context of further known WHP interventions.…”

Sekundäre Individualprävention bei Rückenschmerzen

“…Im Zusammenhang mit mechanischen Überbeanspruchungen gelten wirbelsäulenstrapazierende Berufe aus dem Gesundheitswesen als besonders prädisponiert. Mobilisation, Transfer und Unterstützung von Patienten verursachen bei Pflegepersonal in Krankenhäusern und Altenheimen sowie in der ambulanten Pflege hohe körperliche Belastungen, die mit einem erhöhten Risiko an bandscheibenbedingten Erkrankungen der Lendenwirbelsäule einhergehen [12,15,16].…”

“…Als dementsprechend geeignete Mittel werden in erster Linie Präventionsmaßnahmen angesehen, die nicht nur verhindern sollen, dass bandscheibenbedingte Erkrankungen der Lendenwirbelsäule entstehen, wiederaufleben oder sich verschlimmern, sondern den Patienten gleichzeitig nachhaltige präventive Handlungsmöglichkeiten vermitteln, um diese zukünftig eigenverantwortlich fortzuführen. Die Erfolge solcher Maßnahmen konnten durch eine Vielzahl von interventionellen Studien und längsschnittlichen Untersuchungen bereits belegt werden [12,15,16,21,24,27], es gibt aber nur sehr wenige Arbeiten, die jene Kriterien beschreiben, die Patienten Präventionsmaßnahmen annehmen oder ablehnen lassen [8,29]. In dieser Längsschnittuntersuchung über 8 Jahre sollte an einer großen Versorgungsstichprobe statistisch untersucht werden, welchen Einfluss Schmerzdauer und -intensität auf die Teilnahme an der Präventionsmaßnahme Rückenkolleg haben.…”