Background Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common among healthcare workers. Because frequent patient transfer has been associated with increased risk of MSDs, we aim to quantify the physical load associated with commonly-used assistive devices and to investigate associations between accumulated physical exposure and risk of MSDs. Methods By applying an exposure matrix based on objective measurements of electromyography and trunk flexion on a large (n = 1285) prospective cohort, intensity of low-back pain (LBP) and odds of back injury at 1-year follow-up were modelled using linear models and logistic regressions, respectively. The cohort was divided into groups according to physical exposure; i.e. low (1st quartile), moderate (2nd and 3rd quartiles) and high (4th quartile) exposure. Results Exposure profiles are provided for 9 groups of assistive devices, with ceiling lifts and intelligent beds eliciting the lowest physical exposure. In the fully-adjusted model, we report differences in LBP intensity at follow-up between the low and moderate exposure groups (p = 0.0085). No difference was found between the moderate and high exposure groups (p = 0.2967). Likewise, we find no associations between physical exposure and odds of back injury at 1-year follow-up, with a prevalence of 11, 13 and 11% for the three groups, respectively. Conclusions Low physical exposure during patient transfer was prospectively associated with lower intensity of LBP. Consistent use of assistive devices associated with low physical exposure, namely ceiling-lifts and intelligent beds, may play a role in reducing the incidence of MSDs among healthcare workers.

Background: Pediatricians globally are in critical need of tools enabling comprehensive information about children and families while also saving face-to-face time. This study examined the applicability of the expanded version of the Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD), a free-of-charge tool used in over 30 countries.The Expanded GMCD is a written tool incorporating the biopsychosocial model of healthcare delivery, bioecological theory of child development, and two World Health Organization frameworks: International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and Nurturing Care. Methods: Parents of children attending Ankara University Developmental Pediatrics Division, Turkey, were given or digitally sent the Expanded GMCD to complete before their first assessment. The completeness of the responses to the four Expanded GMCD domains and factors associated with full completion were ascertained using multivariate analyses. Results: Of 480 children, 57% were boys, median age was 17.0 (IQR: 9.0-27.0) months. Completion rates were 78%, 87% and 92% for all four, at least three and at least two domains, respectively. All four domains “body structures and functioning,” “health conditions,” “activities and participation,” and “environmental factors” had completion rates >80%. The Expanded GMCD provided holistic information: 87% of children had developmental difficulties and special needs; 60% had chronic conditions requiring follow-up; over 20% of parents reported stigmatization and maternal depression; over 10% unemployment and financial difficulties, not getting enough support from friends and relatives, paternal depression; and 5% intra-family conflict. In the logistic regression analyses, parents of children ≤ 6 months more likely completed <4 domains compared to parents of older children (OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.25-3.72); maternal education less than high school (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 0.87-2.20) and having multiple children (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 0.94-2.35) were not significantly associated with the full completion of the Expanded GMCD.Conclusion:The applicability of the Expanded GMCD in this study in children with diverse health conditions and families with different educational levels implies its potential for applicability in other settings. Using the free-of-charge Expanded GMCD in healthcare delivery including telemedicine may address the gaps in the implementation of the theory, model and framework-based comprehensive tools for children and their families.

BackgroundWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are more common among healthcare workers compared with most other professions. Because frequent patient transfer has been associated with increased risk of MSDs, we aim to quantify the physical load associated with commonly used assistive devices and to investigate associations between accumulated physical exposure during patient transfer and risk of MSDs.MethodsBy applying an exposure matrix based on measure¬ments of electromyography and trunk flexion on a large (n=1285) prospective cohort, intensity of low-back pain (LBP) and risk of back injury at 1-year follow-up were modelled using a linear model and logistic regressions, respectively. The cohort was divided into groups based on physical exposure; i.e. low (1st quartile), moderate (2nd and 3rd quartiles) and high (4th quartile) exposure.ResultsExposure profiles are provided for 9 groups of assistive devices, with ceiling lifts and intelligent beds eliciting the lowest physical exposure. In the fully-adjusted model, we report differences in LBP intensity at follow-up between the low and moderate exposure groups (p=0.0085). No differ-ence was found between the moderate and high exposure groups (p=0.2967). Likewise, we find no associations between physical exposure and risk of back injury at 1-year follow-up, with a prevalence of 11%, 13% and 11% for the three groups, respectively. ConclusionsLow physical exposure during patient transfer was prospectively associated with lower intensity of LBP. Consistent use of assistive devices associ¬ated with low physical exposure, namely ceiling-lifts and intelligent beds, may play a role in reducing the prevalence of MSDs among healthcare workers.