Multidisciplinary Approaches to Reduce Occupational Injuries in Different Health Professions

Abstract

Introduction:

The variety in the nature of these occupational hazards necessitates a multidisciplinary approach to effectively mitigate them. The aim of this systematic review is to explore multidisciplinary approaches to reduce occupational injuries among different health professions.

Methods:

Initially, the search strategy was developed to identify interventional studies that provided insights into the effectiveness of various strategies. The search was conducted across several electronic databases to ensure a thorough coverage of the literature. These included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. These databases were chosen for their extensive coverage of medical and health sciences literature. Only interventional studies that specifically addressed occupational injuries among healthcare professionals were included.

Results:

The systematic review conclusively demonstrates that multidisciplinary interventions are effective in reducing occupational injuries among healthcare professionals. The analysis of seven key studies revealed that ergonomic training combined with assistive devices, comprehensive injury prevention programs, and the implementation of safety-engineered devices significantly reduce injury rates, with risk reductions ranging from 25% to 50%. Specifically, ergonomic adjustments were found to be more effective than physical exercises in addressing musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, the use of ceiling lifts was preferred over mobile lifts for injury prevention among nursing staff.

Conclusions:

These findings highlight the necessity of tailored, profession-specific interventions in healthcare settings to effectively mitigate the risk of occupational injuries. The integration of technological, educational, and ergonomic solutions emerges as a pivotal strategy to enhance workplace safety and reduce the physical burden on healthcare workers.