Musculoskeletal discomfort among Canadian bovine practitioners: Prevalence, impact on work, and perception of physically demanding tasks.

Musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) is prevalent in large animal veterinarians but little research has been conducted on prevalence of MSD and its impact among Canadian bovine veterinarians. This 2017 survey targeted practicing and retired members of the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners, and adapted the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to quantify MSD prevalence. Open-ended questions were used to determine the impact of MSD on work and to determine what were perceived to be the most physically demanding tasks. The survey response rate was 51.4% (133/259). Prevalence of MSD was high, with 12-month and lifetime rates of 89.5% and 96.9%, respectively. Obstetrical procedures, rectal examinations, and bull semen collections were reported as the 3 most physically strenuous tasks. The high MSD prevalence rates observed in the shoulder, neck, and lower back call for research on direct ergonomic assessments and work practice interventions for bovine veterinarians.

Inconfort musculo-squelettique parmi les praticiens bovins canadiens : prévalence, impact sur le travail et perception des tâches exigeantes sur le plan physique. L'inconfort musculo-squelettique (IMS) est prévalent chez les vétérinaires pour grands animaux mais peu de recherches ont été réalisées sur la prévalence de l'IMS et son impact parmi les vétérinaires bovins canadiens. Cette enquête de 2017 a ciblé les membres praticiens et retraités de la Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners et a adapté le questionnaire nordique sur la santé musculo-squelettique pour quantifier la prévalence de l'IMS. Des questions à réponse libre ont été utilisées pour déterminer l'impact de l'IMS sur le travail et déterminer ce qui était perçu comme les tâches les plus exigeantes physiquement. Le taux de réponse a été de 51,4 % (133/259). La prévalence de l'IMS était élevée, avec des taux de 12 mois et d'une vie de 89,5 % et de 96,9 %, respectivement. Les interventions obstétriques, les examens rectaux et le prélèvement de sperme chez les taureaux étaient signalés comme les tâches les plus difficiles sur le plan physique. Des taux élevés de prévalence de l'IMS ont été observés dans les épaules, le cou et le bas du dos et nécessitent de la recherche sur les évaluations ergonomiques directes et des interventions pour les pratiques de travail des vétérinaires bovins.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Ergonomic assessment of veterinarians during performance of bovine reproductive examinations.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and quantify potential ergonomic hazards associated with routine reproductive examinations of cattle. SAMPLE: 7 bovine veterinarians. PROCEDURES: Each veterinarian was observed and videotaped during 2 bovine reproductive examination appointments. During each appointment, a force-matching protocol was used to estimate the entry force used by the veterinarian to insert an arm into a cow's rectum. Veterinarian posture and repetitive movements and the work environment were assessed and quantified during review of the video recordings. Descriptive data were generated. RESULTS: Of the 14 appointments observed, 9 and 5 involved examination of beef and dairy cows, respectively. For all veterinarians, an arm inclination ≥ 60° was observed during most reproductive examinations. The number of examinations performed per hour ranged from 19.1 to 116.8. The estimated entry force ranged from 121 to 349 N. During all 9 appointments involving beef cows, the veterinarian participated in other tasks (eg, operating overhead levers, opening gates, or assisting with cattle handling) that represented ergonomic hazards. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results confirmed that reproductive examination of cattle exposes veterinarians to various ergonomic hazards involving awkward positions and repetitive and forceful exertions that can contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort and injury, particularly of the upper extremities (neck, shoulders, upper back, arms, elbows, wrists, and hands). Veterinarians frequently participated in other tasks during reproductive examination appointments that exposed them to additional ergonomic hazards. Risk mitigation strategies should prioritize minimizing exposure of veterinarians to tasks not directly associated with the reproductive examination procedure to decrease their overall ergonomic hazard burden.

Risk factors associated with work-preventing musculoskeletal discomfort in the upper extremities of bovine practitioners.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with work-preventing musculoskeletal discomfort (MSKD) in the upper extremities (defined as neck, shoulders, upper back, arms, elbows, wrists, and hands) of bovine practitioners. SAMPLE: 116 members of the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners. PROCEDURES: Data from a previously described cross-sectional survey of western Canadian bovine practitioners underwent further analysis. The survey, developed to glean information about MSKD in bovine practitioners, was a modified standardized Nordic questionnaire that included questions regarding personal and work characteristics and incidence and location of MSKD during the preceding 12 months along with perceptions about most physically demanding tasks. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with work-preventing upper extremity MSKD. RESULTS: 18 of 116 (15.5%) respondents indicated they had experienced work-preventing upper extremity MSKD during the preceding 12 months. The final multivariable regression model indicated that practice type (mixed animal vs primarily [> 50%] bovine; OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 0.96 to 10.67), practitioner height (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87 to 0.99), and number of veterinarians in the practice (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.66) were significantly associated with the odds of work-preventing upper extremity MSKD. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that reproductive examination of cattle was not a significant risk factor for upper extremity MSKD in bovine practitioners. Further research into the effects of biomechanical, organizational, and psychosocial workplace factors on the development of MSKD in bovine practitioners is necessary to help inform prevention strategies to foster career longevity in this increasingly diverse practitioner group.