Introduction:

The practice of digestive endoscopy is a physically demanding activity, with musculoskeletal disorders present in 39 % to 89 % of endoscopists, associated with “excessive use” maneuvers. Due to a lack of knowledge of this problem in endoscopists in Colombia, the main objective is to determine the prevalence, types, and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders in specialists and graduate students. The secondary objective is to identify the occupational impact, treatments used, and importance of prevention and education in ergonomics.

Materials and methods:

Analytical cross-sectional observational study. Electronic survey methodology, open from June 1 to 30, 2021. Purposive sampling of 450 endoscopists from four scientific associations and eleven graduate programs, including 50 questions in six groups according to the objectives. We validated 203 responses, with 131 confirmations of musculoskeletal disorders, the group on which the analysis was performed.

Results:

Global prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders of 64.5 % and prevalence in graduate students of 58.6 %. There was more significant involvement of the upper limbs (right shoulder, left thumb, right elbow), followed by lower back, neck, knees, and hips. Graduate students reported pain in the right hand/fingers (right thumb) and the lower back. There was no significant difference due to work factors, but there was a tendency for more reports when increasing the volume of procedures and years of professional practice. The labor impact showed 78 % absenteeism. The most used treatments were medication, physiotherapy, and rest; 93.8 % had not received ergonomic education. However, there is a positive perception (74.1 % to 90.9 %) of receiving formal training.

Discussion:

The prevalence reflected the health and safety problem for the endoscopist. Demographic risk factors plus those of the endoscopic practice give rise to an individualized risk framework that enables endoscopists to understand learning and training as a way to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in themselves and their work team.

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