Affiliations: [a] Division of Physical Therapy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| [b] Department of Community and Environmental Health, Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA
| [c] College of Health Care Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Clearwater, FL, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Kimeran W. Evans PT, DPT, PhD, Associate Professor, Division of Physical Therapy, West Virginia University, PO Box 9226, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. E-mail: kwevans@hsc.wvu.edu or 304-293-1732.
Note: [1] This paper is based partially upon the primary author’s dissertation work.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:
Patient mobility tasks place rehabilitation professionals (Physical and Occupational Therapists) working in hospitals at high risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). However, when investigating engagement with a Safe Patient Handling and Mobility program (SPHM), administrative records at a level one trauma hospital showed that rehabilitation professionals reported zero work-related injuries over an eight-year period. OBJECTIVE:
As part of a qualitative study conducted to discover their unique work experiences, we explored some of the reasons that rehabilitation professionals might not report work-related injuries to their employers. METHODS:
Using a collective case study design, six focus groups were conducted with 25 members of the rehabilitation team within a level-one trauma hospital. Focus groups were recorded; transcripts were analyzed for emergent themes using first and second cycle coding procedures. RESULTS:
Participants in this study denied experiencing work-related injuries but frequently described working in pain, often attributed to patient mobility tasks. These experiences were not reported to employers. Self-management of their pain through co-worker treatment, over-the-counter medications, or informal alteration in job tasks were reported as common. CONCLUSION:
Administrative injury records may underrepresent injuries among rehabilitation professionals. This may be due to their perception of work-related pain as something different than work-related injuries, or that many of these rehabilitation professionals treat their own work-related pain and symptoms rather than report them. To get a more accurate assessment of injury frequency among rehabilitation professionals, researchers should gather information directly from the participants, and should inquire about work-related pain in addition to injury.
