Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Work Systems Factors: Are There Differences Between Sonography Practice Areas?

Objective: Explore the differing associations of Sonography Work Systems (SWS) model factors with work-related discomfort outcomes among sonographers in four sonographic practice areas. Materials and Methods: Survey data from a national cross-disciplinary cohort of sonographers was analyzed to explore experiences of work factors and work-related discomfort in sonographers across four practice areas: abdominal (ABD+), adult echocardiography (Echo), obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN), and vascular technology (VT). One-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and chi-square tests were conducted on SWS factors and work-related discomfort to examine differences across practice area groups. Associative analyses were conducted between upper extremity musculoskeletal discomfort and hand used during sonography examinations. For each practice group, regression analyses examined associations of SWS factors with work-related discomfort (i.e., musculoskeletal and visual discomfort, headaches). Results: 2924 survey respondents (n = 1747 ABD+, n = 519 Echo, n = 351 VT, and n = 307 OB/GYN) were identified. Descriptive differences were identified in SWS factors and discomfort across practice area groups. Significant differences were noted in distribution of upper extremity pain compared with the hand used to complete sonography examinations ( P < .001). Conclusion: This study identified multiple organizational, tool, and process factors commonly associated with discomfort across specialties, which underscores the need for multidimensional approaches to worker health that include effective administrative and engineering controls.