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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 01-04-2013 | Original Article

Physical job demands and related health complaints among surgeons

Authors: M. M. Ruitenburg, M. H. W. Frings-Dresen, J. K. Sluiter

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 3/2013

Abstract

Purpose

Surgeons’ poor physical health and high physical job demands might threaten good quality of care. We aimed to compare the prevalence of physical complaints of surgeons, their physical work ability and the physical job demands of surgeons with that of other hospital physicians.

Methods

All medical doctors (n = 958) of one academic medical center were invited to complete the online questionnaire to assess the physical work ability and the prevalence of regional musculoskeletal complaints. A purposive sample of 44 surgeons and 82 other hospital physicians were systematically observed during work to quantify the physical job demands for an average working day.

Results

More surgeons found their work to be physically strenuous (41 vs. 13 %, p < .000) and more were bothered by working in uncomfortable or exhausting postures (73 vs. 27 %, p < .001). Both groups reported that most of their physical complaints were in the neck (39 and 32 %) and arm regions (36 and 27 %). The majority of surgeons (86 %) and other hospital physicians (79 %) experienced difficulties coping with their job demands because of their physical state once a month or less. Compared with other hospital physicians, surgeons stand longer (4 vs. 3 h, p = .004) and perform fine repetitive movements longer (80 vs. 3 min, p < .001) during an average working day.

Conclusions

Exposure to several physical job demands that are perceived as uncomfortable and exhausting and the presence of physical health complaints reduce surgeons’ work functioning.

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Title: Physical job demands and related health complaints among surgeons
Authors: M. M. Ruitenburg
M. H. W. Frings-Dresen
J. K. Sluiter
Publication date: 01-04-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0763-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Physical job demands and related health complaints among surgeons

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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