Article

Little research has been undertaken into occupational health and
safety in the Prosthetics and Orthotics profession. OBJECTIVES: To identify
physical, psychosocial and environmental workplace experiences of Prosthetists
and Orthotists in organisational settings. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative methodology,
cross-sectional design, using thematically analysed data collected from focus
groups. METHODS: Focus groups explored workplace and work experiences across
varied Prosthetic and Orthotic settings. Data were thematically analysed to
identify physical, psychosocial and environmental workplace experiences. RESULTS:
Three major themes, Demands of Work Practice, Impacts on the Individual and Job
Design, were identified as problematic. A latent theme Perceptions of Others of
P&O highlighted a lack of understanding of the Prosthetics and Orthotics job role
outside the profession. CONCLUSION: This first study of occupational health and
safety in the Prosthetics and Orthotics profession identifies a number of
important physical and psychosocial issues, including characteristics that have
been previously identified as risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal
disorders. Findings from the study indicate that some Australian organisations
lack understanding of the Prosthetics and Orthotics job role, which results in
inappropriate expectations of Prosthetics and Orthotics professionals. Preventing
injuries and retaining experienced Prosthetists and Orthotists in the workplace
is vital for the profession, and as a result, issues raised in this study require
further exploration and then development of appropriate management strategies.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first study characterising the experiences of
work and risk of injuries in Prosthetists and Orthotists. Preventing injuries and
retaining experienced Prosthetists and Orthotists in the workplace is vital for
the international profession. Issues raised in this study require further
exploration and then development of appropriate management strategies.
CI - (c) The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS