Abstract: The purpose of this systematic review was to explore the
occupational and personal factors associated with occupational musculoskeletal
injuries among health care providers and to identify the psychosocial issues as
a result of the injuries. Then, an extrapolation developed to link the
potential risks to occupational therapy practitioners. The inclusion criteria
that developed from ten articles was based on content from the health and
social science literatures. Searches were conducted via internet databases,
hard-copy search of bibliographies, and citation review of article references.
This review included 22 research studies over the past fifteen years
(1990–2005). Classic scientific research studies and classical readings that
went beyond the specified period were also included. The review revealed that
patient handling was the most common occupational factor to cause work-related
injuries. Inexperience and young age were major personal factors associated
with injuries. Fear, anger, isolation, inability to perform duties and leisure
activities were common psychosocial issues as a result of the injuries. It was
extrapolated that occupational therapy practitioners were at risk for
occupational musculoskeletal injuries. Future studies are recommended to
examine the prevalence and risk factors specific to occupational therapy
practitioners.
Keywords: Occupational factors, personal factors, patient handling
