A study on the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries among physical therapies working in selected hospitals in Quezon City

Date of Completion

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Keywords

Musculoskeletal Diseases, Occupational Diseases, Physical Therapists

Abstract

The practice of physical therapy requires the performance of many labor-intensive tasks related to the delivery of patient care. Such activities include lifting, bending, twisting, reaching performing manual therapy and maintaining awkward positions for prolonged period of time. These activities risk physical therapists to the acquisition of work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Although physical therapists have the knowledge and the skills in treating musculoskeletal disorders, they are still susceptible to the acquisition of these injuries. This study is a descriptive type of researcher wherein the researchers aimed to establish the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries of physical therapists in Quezon City. Specifically, the researchers determined the profiles of the respondents, the body parts that are frequently injured, the common types of injuries acquired by physical therapists and activities being performed at the time of injury. It also identified the activities performedthat caused their symptoms of injury to recur and determined the physical therapists' response to their musculoskeletal injuries. The researchers conducted this research to give concrete evidence as to the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries among physical therapists working in selected hospitals in Quezon City, thereby increasing the knowledge of future and currently practicing physical therapists regarding the possible musculoskeletal injuries they may acquire from work. The data gathered here may also be used by those who wish to formulate a hypothesis regarding the relation of the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries to the work habits of the respondents.Based on the results gathered, the researchers conclude that there is a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries among physical therapists working in Quezon City. Musculoskeletal injury was highest at the low back. The most common type of injury reported by physical therapists was a muscle strain. The most prevalent. activity performed at the time of injury was lifting and the activity that caused the symptoms to recur was maintaining a position for a prolonged period of time. Most of the therapists who reported sustaining an injury altered their work habits. The most cited area of change was improvement of body mechanics. In light of the results of the study, recommendations are suggested. Since the present research is only to observe the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries, the researchers highly recommend that a similar study be conducted to focus on the severity and effects of these injuries to physical therapists. The researchers would also like to recommend future studies focusing on the relationship between work-related musculoskeletal injuries and age and gender of the physical therapist, years of experience, number of hours working per day, the type of activities performed at work and their specialty area.

First Advisor

Evangeline Soltes

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