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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Occupational health risks of pathologists - results from a nationwide online questionnaire in Switzerland

Authors: Florian Rudolf Fritzsche, Constanze Ramach, Davide Soldini, Rosmarie Caduff, Marianne Tinguely, Estelle Cassoly, Holger Moch, Antony Stewart

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Pathologists are highly trained medical professionals who play an essential part in the diagnosis and therapy planning of malignancies and inflammatory diseases. Their work is associated with potential health hazards including injuries involving infectious human tissue, chemicals which are assumed to be carcinogenic or long periods of microscope and computer work. This study aimed to provide the first comprehensive assessment of the health situation of pathologists in Switzerland.

Methods

Pathologists in Switzerland were contacted via the Swiss Society of Pathologists and asked to answer an ethically approved, online anonymous questionnaire comprising 48 questions on occupational health problems, workplace characteristics and health behaviour.

Results

163 pathologists participated in the study. Forty percent of pathologists reported musculoskeletal problems in the previous month. The overall prevalence was 76%. Almost 90% of pathologists had visual refraction errors, mainly myopia. 83% of pathologists had experienced occupational injuries, mostly cutting injuries, in their professional career; more than one fifth of participants reported cutting injuries in the last year. However, long lasting injuries and infectious diseases were rare. Depression and burnout affected every eighth pathologist. The prevalence of smoking was substantially below that of the general Swiss population.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that more care should be taken in technical and personal protective measures, ergonomic workplace optimisation and reduction of work overload and work inefficiencies. Despite the described health risks, Swiss pathologists were optimistic about their future and their working situation. The high rate of ametropia and psychological problems warrants further study.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Occupational health risks of pathologists - results from a nationwide online questionnaire in Switzerland
Authors
Florian Rudolf Fritzsche
Constanze Ramach
Davide Soldini
Rosmarie Caduff
Marianne Tinguely
Estelle Cassoly
Holger Moch
Antony Stewart
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-1054

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