Ahmad Bazazan1, Iman Dianat2, Samira Bahrampour2, Amirhosein Talebian2, Hojat Zandi3, Amir Sharafkhaneh4, Azam Maleki-Ghahfarokhi5. 1. Department of Occupational Health and Ergonomics, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Electronic address: bazazana@tbzmed.ac.ir. 2. Department of Occupational Health and Ergonomics, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 3. Department of Nursing, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. 5. Student Research Committee, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The emergency department is a highly demanding work environment, considered by high workload and stress. The impact of work-related factors on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in emergency nurses (ENs) are not yet well understood. We investigated the association of MSDs and workload with work schedule (permanent day and night work) and job satisfaction in ENs. METHOD: Data were collected through a questionnaire including individual and work-related factors, workload (National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index [NASA-TLX]) and MSDs (Standardized Nordic Questionnaire) from 380 ENs in five hospitals. RESULTS: The findings revealed that work schedule and job satisfaction levels were significantly associated with the MSDs in different body regions. Work schedule was significantly related to physical demand, performance, frustration, and overall workload, whereas it was not to the mental and temporal demands and effort. Job satisfaction level was negatively associated with mental demand and frustration. A high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems, particularly in knees, upper back, lower back, neck and shoulders were found. CONCLUSION: MSDs are highly prevalent among ENs involved in night work and with low job satisfaction levels. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for emergency hospital nurses. The findings can help to better understand the working conditions and emphasize the need for ergonomic interventions in order to reduce MSDs and workload. Also, the study findings highlight the importance of mental aspects of workload in this occupational group.
BACKGROUND: The emergency department is a highly demanding work environment, considered by high workload and stress. The impact of work-related factors on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in emergency nurses (ENs) are not yet well understood. We investigated the association of MSDs and workload with work schedule (permanent day and night work) and job satisfaction in ENs. METHOD: Data were collected through a questionnaire including individual and work-related factors, workload (National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index [NASA-TLX]) and MSDs (Standardized Nordic Questionnaire) from 380 ENs in five hospitals. RESULTS: The findings revealed that work schedule and job satisfaction levels were significantly associated with the MSDs in different body regions. Work schedule was significantly related to physical demand, performance, frustration, and overall workload, whereas it was not to the mental and temporal demands and effort. Job satisfaction level was negatively associated with mental demand and frustration. A high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems, particularly in knees, upper back, lower back, neck and shoulders were found. CONCLUSION: MSDs are highly prevalent among ENs involved in night work and with low job satisfaction levels. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for emergency hospital nurses. The findings can help to better understand the working conditions and emphasize the need for ergonomic interventions in order to reduce MSDs and workload. Also, the study findings highlight the importance of mental aspects of workload in this occupational group.