Tele-Ergonomics: A Novel Approach to Computer Workstation Ergonomic Assessment and Modification

Abstract

U.S. healthcare reform demands that ergonomically trained health professionals reassess how they deliver their services. One innovative strategy to deliver ergonomic assessment and modification is tele-ergonomics. This practice-oriented paper will describe the process of developing the Telerehabilitation Computer Ergonomics System (tele-CES). The tele-CES will be a valid and reliable systematic program using existing previously validated ergonomic instruments. This program will allow ergonomically trained health professionals to: 1) remotely assess the computer workstation, which will eliminate several barriers to access experienced by computer operators; and 2) based on the assessment, generate explicit participant-specific workstation modification recommendations. These recommendations will be easily implemented; reduce pain, discomfort, and fatigue; and eliminate barriers to productivity. The tele-CES will be developed as a collaboration between ergonomically trained health professionals in multiple locations in the US, telerehabilitation experts, and consumers. This system will reduce the personal cost of obtaining expert ergonomic assessments and interventions and provide an evidence-based and systematic program of completing ergonomic assessments remotely.