@inproceedings{7b19432156e144ca826945dc58ccaf4a,
title = "Work injuries among therapists in physical rehabilitation",
abstract = "Background: Physical therapists in rehabilitation settings often perform heavy lifting, repetitive forceful tasks and endure long periods of static or awkward postures. These work conditions put therapists at increased risk of work-related injuries (WRIs). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) at 14 randomly selected rehabilitation facilities to determine the prevalence and severity of work-related injuries in physical rehabilitation. Results: A majority of respondents reported their most severe pain or discomfort within the last year affected their back, lasted 24 hours to 1 week, occurred once every 2-6 months, and was rated as moderate on the 0 to 10 pain scale. The 1-year prevalence of WRIs among PTs and PTAs working in physical rehabilitation was 32%. Sixty percent (60%) of those reporting pain/discomfort had mechanical patient lifts available within their work area. Less than half reported using mechanical patient lifts before or during/after their work-related pain. Conclusion: More than 65% of rehabilitation PTs and PTAs experienced work-related pain due to therapeutic activities including patient handling and movement. It is critical to understand therapists' technology usage barriers, redesign technology to meet end-user needs, and develop technology-based best practices that promote both worker safety and patient outcomes.",
author = "Bernadette McCrory and Burnfield, {Judith M.} and Darragh, {Amy R.} and Meza, {Jane L.} and Irons, {Sonya L.} and Pavel Chernyavskiy and Link, {Angela M.} and Gregory Brusola",
year = "2014",
doi = "10.1177/1541931214581224",
language = "English (US)",
series = "Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society",
publisher = "Human Factors an Ergonomics Society Inc.",
pages = "1072--1076",
booktitle = "2014 International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, HFES 2014",
address = "United States",
note = "58th International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, HFES 2014 ; Conference date: 27-10-2014 Through 31-10-2014",
}