Musculoskeletal Risk Among Radiology Professionals: Ergo, the Importance of Ergonomics

Workers in physically demanding fields can be exposed to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), especially over a period of time. Healthcare workers may experience a high frequency of awkward postures and static load during a typical shift. Ergonomic implementations designed for specific tasks aim to lower the likelihood of injury and increase overall wellbeing. This research involves an anonymous, voluntary survey designed for radiology healthcare workers based on validated tools including the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and a Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). The survey gathers data on occurrences of high-risk tasks, impacted areas of the body under strain, and identification of ergonomic controls. Participants disclose exercise frequency and fitness modalities to assess their influence on the occurrence of musculoskeletal discomfort. The survey results are currently being analyzed to identify common trends in WMSDs and the use of ergonomic interventions and injury prevention measures while working. It is hypothesized that there will be occurrences of similar awkward postures and static loads, leading to discomfort, from certain common areas.