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Musculoskeletal injury and ergonomics in pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopic practice

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Abstract

Background and Aims

Endoscopy-related musculoskeletal injuries (ERI) are increasingly prevalent in adult endoscopists; however, there are no studies that have evaluated ERI and ergonomic practices among pediatric gastroenterologists and trainees. We aimed to examine the prevalence, nature, and impact of musculoskeletal injuries in pediatric endoscopic practice and assess attitudes towards ergonomic training needs.

Methods

Pediatric gastroenterologists and trainees were surveyed to collect information on endoscopist and practice characteristics, the prevalence, nature, and impacts of ERI, ergonomics strategies employed in practice, previous ergonomics training, and perceptions of ergonomics training (elicited using a 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) Likert scale). Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and bivariate analyses were conducted to explore correlates of ERI.

Results

Among 146 survey respondents, 50 (34.2%) were trainees and 96 (65.8%) were practicing endoscopists with a mean duration of endoscopic practice of 9.7 ± 9.4 years. Overall, 55.6% (n = 80/144) reported experiencing a musculoskeletal injury, with 34.7% (n = 50/144) reporting an injury attributable to endoscopy. Among those with ERI, the most common sites were the neck/upper back (44.0%), thumb (42.0%), hand/finger (38.0%), and lower back (36.0%). Women were more likely to experience ERI compared to men (43.4% vs. 23.4%; p = 0.013). Only 20.9% of participants had formal training in ergonomics. Respondents reported being motivated to implement practice changes to prevent ERI (4.41 ± 0.95) and perceived ergonomics training as important (4.37 ± 0.96).

Conclusions

Pediatric endoscopists, and particularly women, experience significant ERI; however, formal endoscopy ergonomics training is rare. Improved ergonomics training is needed for both practicing pediatric gastroenterologists and trainees.

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Acknowledgements

We kindly thank Sean T Hunt, PhD, for his consultative role and statistical support in this manuscript.

Funding

The funders had no role in the design and conduct of the review, decision to publish and preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, 6701 Fannin Street, D1010.18, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Wenly Ruan & Douglas S. Fishman

  2. Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, and the Research and Learning Institutes, Hospital for Sick Children,, Department of Paediatrics and the Wilson Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Catharine M. Walsh

  3. Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Swati Pawa

  4. Bill Hefner VA Healthcare System, Salisbury, NC, USA

    Swati Pawa

  5. Gasteroenterology Consultants, Medford, OR, USA

    Sharlene L. D’Souza

  6. Loyola Stritch School of Medicine and Edward Hines Jr Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, IL, USA

    Promila Banerjee

  7. University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA

    Shivangi Kothari

  8. The Hospital for Sick Children, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Graham A. McCreath

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  1. Wenly Ruan
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  2. Catharine M. Walsh
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  3. Swati Pawa
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Contributions

WR, CMW, DSF SP, SLD, PB, and SK planned and conducted the study. WR, CMW, GAM, and DSF collected and interpreted the data. WR, GAM, CMW, and DSF drafted the manuscript. WR, SP, SLD, PB, SK, GAM, CMW, and DSF reviewed and approved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wenly Ruan.

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Disclosures

Wenly Ruan currently is funded by the NASPGHAN Foundation Advanced Fellowship in Pediatric Endoscopy Grant supported by an educational grant from Olympus USA (2021–2022) and was funded by the Pfizer Competitive Global Medical Grant for Advanced IBD fellowship (2020–2021). Drs. Catharine M Walsh, Swati Pawa, Sharlene L D’Souza, Promila Banerjee, Shivangi Kothari, Graham A. McCreath, and Douglas S Fishman have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Ruan, W., Walsh, C.M., Pawa, S. et al. Musculoskeletal injury and ergonomics in pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopic practice. Surg Endosc 37, 248–254 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-022-09455-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-022-09455-9

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