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A Survey of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Otolaryngologists

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Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

There are increased reports of prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) in surgeons performing minimal access surgeries. Due to the nature of the speciality, otolaryngologists spend their work days in performing markedly precise procedures in small workspaces i.e. the patients’ ear, nose and throat. Due to this, they frequently adopt awkward neck, back and shoulder postures while using devices like otoscope, endoscope and microscope. The field of otolaryngology has barely received any attention with respect to ergonomic assessment. Thus, the aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of WRMSDs in otolaryngologists in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. A pre-validated, structured questionnaire was distributed to 150 otolaryngologists. Seventy-three otolaryngologists responded to the questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of demographic and workload data, report of musculoskeletal symptoms and otolaryngologists’ interpretation of casual and preventive factors of symptoms at workplace. Response rate of the survey was 48.6%. The total prevalence of WRMSDs in the otolaryngologists was 87.67%. Majority of those surveyed reported that they suffered from musculoskeletal problems which they attributed to the ergonomic flaws encountered during surgery (60.27%) and OPD (69.86%) respectively. Pain and discomfort during surgery experienced by the surgeons were most frequently attributed to the awkward and sustained postures adopted during surgery. Effective time management, ergonomically apt postures, intermittent change of posture, using back rest and availing skilled assistance during OPD and surgery, were the self-assessed corrective measures suggested by the respondents. The otolaryngologists’ job profile puts them at high risk for WRMSDs.

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Funding

This study was not funded by any organization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physiotherapy, D. Y. Patil University, 6th Floor, Medical College Building, Sector-5 Nerul, Navi Mumbai, 400706, India

    Twinkle Dabholkar, Sujata Yardi & Gaurav Ghuge

  2. Department of ENT, School of Medicine, D. Y. Patil University, 1st Floor, Hospital Building, Sector-5 Nerul, Navi Mumbai, 400706, India

    Yogesh G. Dabholkar & Haritosh K. Velankar

  3. B-306, Om Neelkanth CHS, Plot No 31, Sector 42A, Nerul West, Navi Mumbai, 400 706, India

    Yogesh G. Dabholkar

Authors
  1. Twinkle Dabholkar
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  2. Sujata Yardi
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  3. Yogesh G. Dabholkar
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  4. Haritosh K. Velankar
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  5. Gaurav Ghuge
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Correspondence to Yogesh G. Dabholkar.

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Conflict of interest

Authors T.D., S.Y., Y.G.D, H.K.V. and G.G. declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. For this type of study formal consent is not required. This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Additional informed consent was obtained from all individual participants for whom identifying information is included in this article.

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Dabholkar, T., Yardi, S., Dabholkar, Y.G. et al. A Survey of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Otolaryngologists. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 69, 230–238 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-017-1106-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-017-1106-5

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