Abstract
This issue of Workplace Health & Safety contains a Continuing Nursing Education Module for 1.0 contact hour of continuing nursing education credit will be awarded by AAOHN upon successful completion of the posttest and evaluation.
A certificate will be awarded when the following requirements are met by the participant: (1) Participant logs on to the AAOHN LMS website at www.aaohn.org/education/online-learning-center and enrolls in the course ($10 members; $15 non-members); (2) The completed posttest and course evaluation are entered online at http://www.aaohn.org by December 2023; (3) A score of 75% (6 correct answers) is achieved by the participant.
Upon completion of this lesson, the occupational health nurse will be able to:
Understand the implications of utilizing electronic pedometers to determine the level of physical activity at work
Identify health risks specific to ophthalmologists in comparison to other medical specialists
Develop strategies to increase physical activity and reduce job-related health risks for ophthalmologists
The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. is an Approved Provider of continuing nursing education by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc., an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. is additionally approved as a CNE provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing (#CEP9283).
Contact hours received for successful completion of the posttest and evaluation may be used for relicensure, certification, and re-certification.
According to Assayag, et al., 2022, the level of physical activity among ophthalmologists at work: Exceeded that of hospital nurses Is low and represents a personal health care challenge Is high and is reflected in a lower BMI among ophthalmologists Is not a risk factor for diabetes, obesity, or cardiovascular disease
Electronic pedometers are: Not useful in determining the overall level of physical activity Useful but often unreliable tools for evaluating the level of physical activity Validated and inexpensive tools for assessing energy expenditure Not readily accessible to researchers wishing to estimate physical expenditure in workplace settings
What makes ophthalmology unique in terms of physical expenditure and health risks? Ophthalmology practice requires huge expenditures of energy and extreme strength Ophthalmology practice does Ophthalmology examinations are generally conducted sitting down Ophthalmology practice may involve improper and prolonged sitting resulting in ergonomic risks Both c. and d.
A negative and statistically relevant correlation was found between: Number of patients seen per session and steps per hour Number of steps and level of training (i.e., Attendings versus residents) Number of steps and geographic location of the practice Number of steps and level of administrative staffing a. and b. only
Health promotion authorities recommend at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity each week for adults. This recommended level of activity is felt to be approximately equivalent to: 5,000 steps per day 12,000 steps per day 20,000 steps per day 10,000 steps per day
Compared to other medical disciplines that have been evaluated similarly, cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, emergency physicians, and internists averaged: Between 1,000 and 1500 steps per hour Between 430 to 744 steps per hour Steps per hour levels equal to ophthalmologists Steps per hour levels significantly lower than ophthalmologists
The statistically relevant negative correlation between number of patients per session and the steps per hour in Ophthalmology Attendings suggests: A heavy workload prevents taking even short breaks which could result in more steps Ophthalmology Attendings may be more subject to diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular risks Health organizations may be prioritizing profitability over the long-term health of physicians Heavy workloads handled by Attending Ophthalmologists may have contributed to BMI’s (body mass index) in the upper range of normal among participants in this study All the above
Another study of Internists (Goosen, et al., 2008) suggested high BMI (body mass index) is a predictor of: Lower step counts and may have a bi-directional relationship Malnutrition and burnout Increased stress levels Efficiency at work
According to this study, Resident Ophthalmologists were more active at work in comparison to attendings. Possible explanations for this finding might be: Residents are younger and just naturally more active Residents are required to consult with attendings regularly and see fewer patients Residents are required to consult on the hospital floors throughout the day b. and c. All the above
Suggestions for increasing the number of steps taken by Attending Ophthalmologists during the workday include: Improved planning of patient queues, allowing short breaks in patient flow Increasing the number of patients seen in each session Placing personnel-only facilities closer to the examination rooms placing patients in a long hallway and giving the attending a dedicated room for consults