Surgeons' Experiences and Perspectives on Physical Ergonomics: A Need for Innovative Solutions

Area of Science:

• Medical Ergonomics
• Surgical Practice
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Prevalence of pain among surgeons impacting professional and personal life.
• Poor ergonomic conditions are a significant contributing factor to surgeon-related pain.
• Need for understanding surgeon attitudes and practices regarding ergonomics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine surgeon attitudes and perceptions of ergonomics.
• To assess real-world ergonomic practices among surgical staff.
• To identify barriers to implementing ergonomic principles in surgery.

Main Methods:

• Survey distributed to surgical faculty and trainees at a single institution.
• Data collected on demographics, pain experiences, and ergonomic practices.
• Analysis of perceived barriers to ergonomic implementation.

Main Results:

• 46.7% of responding surgeons reported pain, primarily in the neck and back.
• Most surgeons made adjustments, but faced challenges like insufficient training and equipment.
• Surgeons believe ergonomics improves outcomes and expressed interest in training.

Conclusions:

• Surgeons frequently experience pain and desire ergonomic improvements.
• Overcoming barriers related to training, equipment, and institutional support is key.
• Enhanced ergonomics can reduce surgeon strain, improve well-being, and potentially patient outcomes.