[Health status of endoscopy personnel in Austria]

Working in the field of endoscopy is associated with physical and psychological challenges, but we lack data as to whether it influences the health status of endoscopy personnel. The aim of the present survey was to evaluate the health status of endoscopy personnel in Austria and draw comparisons.

In 2019, a standardized questionnaire of Hogrefe Publishers and a self-designed SurveyMonkey questionnaire were sent online to doctors (n=326) and nursing staff (n=234) working in the field of gastrointestinal endoscopy in Austria. The response rate was 17.9%. The data were compared with those of a standard population, a similar previous survey from 2004, and national sick leave data.

Compared to a standard population of identical age and gender distribution, endoscopy personnel in Austria have more health-related complaints. Compared to doctors, nursing staff experience greater adverse effects; foremost among these are fatigue and an excessive need for sleep (p=0.001), a heavy sensation in the legs (p=0.001), hypersensitivity to warmth (p<0.001) and cold (p=0.002). Nursing staff are somewhat more frequently on sick leave than doctors. The days of sick leave were higher than those in 2004, but markedly below the average figures in Austria. Lifestyle had little influence on the respondents' symptoms.

The results of the survey showed that persons working in endoscopy have slightly greater health problems than the standard population. Nursing staff are affected more severely than doctors. These data may serve as a basis for targeted preventive measures.