Ergonomics in the operation-theatre: a healthcare provider-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Performing surgery is a task that demands mental stability, precision, and vigilant eyes, along with resilient physical strength, as surgeons and those who assist the surgeons have to assume a sustained, difficult posture that can go on for hours. About 23–100% of surgeons report musculoskeletal discomfort that originates from poor ergonomics. Methods: Ethical clearance for the study was obtained. This cross-sectional study, conducted in a tertiary centre among the healthcare providers working inside the operating room, spanned from 1 March 2023, to 26 June 2023. Systematic sampling was applied, and consent was obtained before data collection. A structured questionnaire was used as the study tool, and the collected data was analysed in SPSS 20. Results: A total of 98 personnel responded, among which 67.3% were males and 32.7% were females, with a median age of 36 (32–42) years. Only 6.1% of the workers had received training on ergonomics. The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders was 82.7%, and more than two-thirds of the participant’s life outside of work was affected by this. More than two-thirds (69.4%) felt their work environment was not safe, and surgeons performing open surgery were at lower odds of feeling that their work environment was safe. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare providers working inside the operating room, and the majority had their body position deviated from neutral most of the time during the surgery. There is a deficiency in ergonomic practices, which demands an effective intervention.