Musculoskeletal discomfort in veterinary healthcare professions.
Kelly E Seagren, Carolyn M Sommerich, Steven A Lavender
PMID 35253665WHAT IT FOUND
Every surveyed veterinarian and technician reported musculoskeletal discomfort in the past year.
Observations confirmed high-risk postures like bending and kneeling, but adjustable tables and stools significantly lowered these ergonomic risks.
Key findings
01All participants reported musculoskeletal discomfort in the preceding 12 months, with neck and low back symptoms affecting more than 60%.
02Veterinary technicians had significantly higher personal and work-related burnout scores than veterinarians.
03Observational analysis using REBA showed that kneeling and squatting carried high risk scores, while sitting and using adjustable tables reduced neck and trunk strain.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The sample size was small (94 survey respondents) and recruitment methods like snowball sampling make it difficult to calculate a true response rate. Participants relied on 12-month recall for symptoms and tasks, which may introduce bias. Most observations occurred in small animal practices, so findings may not generalize to large animal or mixed practices. The survey excluded those not employed in the prior 12 months, potentially missing those who left work due to injury.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume the high prevalence of discomfort proves that specific ergonomic interventions work. The study shows that high-risk postures exist and that certain setups have lower REBA scores, but it did not test whether changing these setups reduces actual injury rates or symptoms.