Ergonomics and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Characteristics Among Female Interventionists

Area of Science:

• Medical Ergonomics
• Musculoskeletal Health
• Physician Well-being

Background:

• Inadequate ergonomic protocols exist for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in interventional radiology (IR).
• Limited research addresses gender differences in WMSDs among physicians in procedural specialties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing literature on WMSDs in female physicians performing interventional and fluoroscopic procedures.
• To identify gender-based disparities in WMSDs within specialties like IR, cardiology, surgery, and gastroenterology.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed and EBSCOhost databases for ergonomic studies.
• Inclusion of 11 studies reporting on female physician WMSDs in relevant procedural fields.
• Analysis of reported WMSD prevalence, pain location, and physician characteristics.

Main Results:

• Female physicians reported WMSDs at a higher rate (72%) compared to male physicians (46.6%).
• Women were often shorter, had smaller glove sizes, and were younger than male counterparts.
• Female proceduralists more frequently experienced upper extremity pain, unlike men who commonly reported lumbar pain.

Conclusions:

• Discrepancies in WMSD prevalence between genders suggest potential issues with procedural tool design and ergonomic suitability for female physicians.
• Addressing these ergonomic challenges is crucial as more women enter and advance in procedural medical fields.
• Development of ergonomically sound solutions tailored for female physicians is essential to mitigate WMSD risks.