What are the Interventions Affecting Manual Handling Injuries in Frontline Pre-hospital Clinicians?

Authors

  • Gruia Dimcea University of Birmigham
  • Dr Glykeria Skamagki University of Birmigham

Keywords:

review, paramedics, musculoskeletal disorders, manual handling

Abstract

Background and purpose: A literature review to investigate the effects of manual handling interventions and equipment on musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries and disorders in pre-hospital clinicians.

Methods: The search included articles published in CINAHL Plus, AMED, MEDLINE, Academic Search Complete, PubMED, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, PEDro, Cochrane and PsycINFO. There was no date limit set for the search, and a grey literature search was also conducted.

Results: The review included 10 studies that investigated a variety of manual handling equipment: powered loading stretchers, lifting straps, slip preventers and binder-lift attachments. No interventions such as manual handling, strength or ergonomic training were found. Despite the varied quality of studies, all were included due to the lack of research available on this topic and the original topic of this review.

Discussion: Overall, powered stretchers and loading systems were directly correlated to lower MSK injuries, with the other pieces of equipment such as lifting straps being related to a lower risk of MSK injury. The poor ergonomics of ambulance design and equipment placement were also linked to a higher risk of MSK injury. Current research is severely limited in this area and future studies should include multi-variate interventions to modulate MSK injuries and the risk thereof in this high-risk group of clinicians.

     

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Published

2023-10-16

How to Cite

Dimcea , G., & Skamagki , D. G. (2023). What are the Interventions Affecting Manual Handling Injuries in Frontline Pre-hospital Clinicians?. Journal of Physiotherapy in Work and Health, 1(3). Retrieved from https://publications.coventry.ac.uk/index.php/JPWH/article/view/1000

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 3 (2023): Challenges in the workforce

Section

Systematic/systematised reviews

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Journal of Physiotherapy in Work and Health

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