December/January 2010/2011 (vol. 07/4)

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Hospital workers’ recovery from MSDs

Research carried out in the US finds that most hospital workers presenting with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) generally recover full functionality within two years. Furthermore, WRMSD status does not predict increased likelihood of lost workdays, decreased self-reported effectiveness at work, or change in work status ( job change or work cessation). However, low socio-economic status and job strain/effort–reward imbalance at baseline are predictive both of poor health and work status at follow-up, suggesting that those with WRMSDs coupled with these risk factors are likely to have a worse long-term prognosis.

Occupational Medicine 2010; 60: 532–539.

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Occupational Health at Work December/January 2010/2011 (vol. 07/4) pp44