Al-Rammah Tamader Y, Aloufi Areej S, Algaeed Saffana K, Alogail Noura S
Department of Radiological Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Work. 2017;57(2):211-219. doi: 10.3233/WOR-172558.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) have a significant effect on the psychological and physical function of the sonographer.
This study is concerned about finding the prevalence of WRMSDs among sonographers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and assessing how to improve future practices and develop guidelines for safe, pain-free ultrasound departments.
A survey was distributed to sonographers working in major hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (n = 100, 83% response rate). The questionnaire focused on workload and ergonomics, pain existence and history, and the level of the sonographers' awareness of prevention measures and best practices. Ethical approval was obtained from a local Institutional Review Board.
Eighty-four percent of respondents suffer from pain they associated with their ultrasound practice. The shoulder, back, neck and right hand were the main symptomatic body areas. Low levels of awareness about best practices and safety measures were revealed. There was a strong correlation between the degree of pain suffered and the years of practice, the number of patients scanned per day, and movements during the exam.
Implementing standards and guidelines for best ultrasound practices is needed to develop better and safer ultrasound departments in Saudi hospitals for every practitioner.
与工作相关的肌肉骨骼疾病（WRMSDs）对超声检查医师的心理和身体功能有重大影响。
本研究关注沙特阿拉伯王国超声检查医师中WRMSDs的患病率，并评估如何改进未来的操作并制定安全、无痛超声科室的指南。
向在沙特阿拉伯利雅得各大医院工作的超声检查医师发放了一份调查问卷（n = 100，回复率83%）。问卷重点关注工作量和人体工程学、疼痛的存在和病史，以及超声检查医师对预防措施和最佳实践的认知水平。已获得当地机构审查委员会的伦理批准。
84%的受访者患有与超声检查工作相关的疼痛。肩部、背部、颈部和右手是主要的疼痛部位。结果显示对最佳实践和安全措施的认知水平较低。疼痛程度与从业年限、每天扫描的患者数量以及检查过程中的动作之间存在很强的相关性。
需要实施最佳超声检查实践的标准和指南，以便为沙特医院的每位从业者建立更好、更安全的超声科室。
