A National Survey of Occupational Musculoskeletal Injuries in Cardiothoracic Surgeons
Presented During:
Saturday, May 6, 2023: 3:35PM - 3:55PM
Los Angeles Convention Center
Posted Room Name:
West Hall B
Abstract No:
70
Submission Type:
Abstract Submission
Authors:
Camille Mathey-Andrews (1), Shivaek Venkateswaran (1), Alexandra Potter (1), Meghan McCarthy (1), Jessica Copeland (1), Yolonda Colson (1), Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang (2)
Institutions:
(1) Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, (2) Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Submitting Author:
Camille Mathey-Andrews
-
Contact Me
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Co-Author(s):
Shivaek Venkateswaran
-
Contact Me
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Alexandra Potter
-
Contact Me
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Meghan McCarthy
-
Contact Me
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Jessica Copeland
-
Contact Me
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
*Yolonda Colson
-
Contact Me
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
♦Chi-Fu Yang
-
Contact Me
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Presenting Author:
Camille Mathey-Andrews
-
Contact Me
Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Abstract:
Objective:
Over the past several years, there has been growing concern that surgeons are at increased risk for work-related orthopedic injuries due to poor ergonomics. We sought to conduct a survey of cardiothoracic surgeons in the U.S. and Canada to evaluate the incidence of occupational injury among cardiothoracic surgeons, as well as cardiothoracic surgeons' perceptions of and use of ergonomic techniques in the operating room (OR) and office.
Methods:
Cardiothoracic surgeons identified through the Cardiothoracic Surgery Network were asked to complete a 33-question survey assessing their musculoskeletal health, as well as their perceptions and use of ergonomic techniques in the OR and office. Results were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum and Pearson's chi square tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify characteristics of surgeons associated with an increased odds of experiencing a work-related injury.
Results:
Of the 602 surgeon respondents, the majority were male (92%) and between 56-65 years of age. With regards to specialization, 40% practiced thoracic surgery, 48% cardiac surgery, and 12% reported having mixed practices. The overall incidence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries was 64%, with 30% of injured surgeons requiring time off from work and 20% requiring surgery or the use of narcotics. Cervical spine injury (n=216) was the most common orthopedic injury attributed to operating, followed by lumbar spine injury (n=180) and neck tension (n=171). In multivariable-adjusted analysis, surgeons who predominately practiced cardiac surgery were significantly more likely to experience work-related orthopedic injury than thoracic surgeons (aOR: 3.4, p<0.01). Notably, 90% of surgeons reported that they felt that their institution did not provide sufficient ergonomics education and support for cardiothoracic surgeons and only 35% felt that the cardiothoracic surgical community is supportive of implementing ergonomics techniques in the OR and office.
Conclusions:
In this survey, North American cardiothoracic surgeons reported experiencing work-related orthopedic injuries at an alarmingly high rate, leading to significant time away from work and for many to retire from over a decade early from surgical practice. These findings illustrate a critical need for institutions to prioritize ergonomics education and implement ergonomics-directed techniques in the OR and office.
Over the past several years, there has been growing concern that surgeons are at increased risk for work-related orthopedic injuries due to poor ergonomics. We sought to conduct a survey of cardiothoracic surgeons in the U.S. and Canada to evaluate the incidence of occupational injury among cardiothoracic surgeons, as well as cardiothoracic surgeons' perceptions of and use of ergonomic techniques in the operating room (OR) and office.
Methods:
Cardiothoracic surgeons identified through the Cardiothoracic Surgery Network were asked to complete a 33-question survey assessing their musculoskeletal health, as well as their perceptions and use of ergonomic techniques in the OR and office. Results were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum and Pearson's chi square tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify characteristics of surgeons associated with an increased odds of experiencing a work-related injury.
Results:
Of the 602 surgeon respondents, the majority were male (92%) and between 56-65 years of age. With regards to specialization, 40% practiced thoracic surgery, 48% cardiac surgery, and 12% reported having mixed practices. The overall incidence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries was 64%, with 30% of injured surgeons requiring time off from work and 20% requiring surgery or the use of narcotics. Cervical spine injury (n=216) was the most common orthopedic injury attributed to operating, followed by lumbar spine injury (n=180) and neck tension (n=171). In multivariable-adjusted analysis, surgeons who predominately practiced cardiac surgery were significantly more likely to experience work-related orthopedic injury than thoracic surgeons (aOR: 3.4, p<0.01). Notably, 90% of surgeons reported that they felt that their institution did not provide sufficient ergonomics education and support for cardiothoracic surgeons and only 35% felt that the cardiothoracic surgical community is supportive of implementing ergonomics techniques in the OR and office.
Conclusions:
In this survey, North American cardiothoracic surgeons reported experiencing work-related orthopedic injuries at an alarmingly high rate, leading to significant time away from work and for many to retire from over a decade early from surgical practice. These findings illustrate a critical need for institutions to prioritize ergonomics education and implement ergonomics-directed techniques in the OR and office.
Categories:
Safety, Quality, and Teamwork
Image or Table
