Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan CTM, Lau ETL, Chan SWI, Cheng RYF, Chao CYL, Ip SYW, Leung CYY
Affiliation :
Physiotherapy Department, Princess Margaret Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders
Keyword 2: :
Manual Handling Operations
Keyword 3: :
Structured Training Program
Introduction :
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) from manual handling operations (MHO) are one of the major concerns in healthcare settings. Causes may include incorrect postures, repetitive movements, excessive force throughout the working day, and unfavorable workplace environment. It may lead to productivity reduction, decrease work quality, and increase in absenteeism. Reducing and preventing musculoskeletal problems in health workers would be important hospital priority. MHO training is a useful low-cost intervention to reduce the risk of WRMDs.
Objectives :
To evaluate the effectiveness of a tailor-made MHO training program for physiotherapy assistants in the context of job-related tasks.
Methodology :
All MHO related work-injuries in the year 2025 at the physiotherapy department of Princess Margaret Hospital were reviewed and analyzed. A tailor-made educational training program with both theory and practical return demonstration components that specific to the job nature of Patient Care Assistants (PCA) at the Physiotherapy Department was developed. The theoretical component included sharing of WRMDs incidents, risk factors, risk assessment, safe work methods, correct use of assistive devices, correct posture, body mechanics and MHO methods. The practical component included posture checks, demonstration of safe techniques and return demonstration. All participants were required to complete the pre- and post-training quiz on knowledge testing and underwent auditing on their compliances to the suggested MHO methods at workplace for both the object and patient lifting/transferring tasks in the subsequent month as performance monitoring. A post-training satisfaction survey was also conducted to evaluate staff feedback on the usefulness of the program. Both the lecturing and practicum were conducted by 4 experienced physiotherapists in occupational safety and health.
Result & Outcome :
Twenty-seven PCAs (6 males, 21 females), aged 49.7± 9.3 years participated in the training in June 2025. On averaged, the knowledge testing score improved from 33.75±11.47 at pre-training to 53.13±10.14 out of 60 after training. 50% of them expressed strongly satisfied, followed by 43.8% satisfied and 6.2% neutral to the usefulness of the training program. All participants passed the 11 and 18 audit criterions in the object lifting and patient lifting/transferring job tasks respectively. On reviewing the MHO WRMDs incidents in the year 2025, 5 incidents were reported in the initial half-year with a total of 39 paid sick leave days. All incidents were PCA ranks. The highest prevalence injured areas were observed in the lower back and shoulder/elbow and majority of them (80%) were related to patient lifting/transferring tasks including patient transferring such as lying to sit, sit to stand, and transferring in/out wheelchair. Nil WRMD from MHO was reported in the subsequent 6 months after training from July to Dec 2025. An effective training program for preventing WMSDs from manual handling involves a combination of theory and practical return demonstrations together with regular auditing. Key components for success include tailoring the contents that are specific to the job-tasks and workplace, emphasizing risk assessment, performance monitoring and ensuring management support and follow-up.
