Understanding Work-related Musculoskeletal Injuries in Rehabilitation from a Nursing Perspective

Abstract

Purpose: The incidence and prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal nursing injuries is a top concern for nurses. These injuries are thought to be a dynamic interplay of multiple factors. A literature review reveals a knowledge gap in understanding context-specific patterns of nursing injuries.

Design: Using a cross-sectional descriptive research design, 58 rehabilitation nurses participated in this study.

Methods: Anonymous paper surveys were sent to all rehabilitation nursing personnel on the unit.

Findings: Six themes emerged: lack of time and help, patient acuity, ergonomics, body movement issues, knowledge deficit, and communication.

Conclusions: Nursing input is critical in understanding and reducing context-specific work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Further research that includes nursing voices is advocated.

Clinical relevance: Rehabilitation nursing injuries appear to be a complex interaction of multiple determinants; therefore, multifaceted solutions using a quality improvement lens are recommended to improve the working conditions on the units.

Keywords: Safe patient handling; nurses; rehabilitation; work-related musculoskeletal injuries.