View in EDS

Changing the culture from the bottom Up: Results of a resident-led ergonomics quality improvement initiative.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Changing the culture from the bottom Up: Results of a resident-led ergonomics quality improvement initiative.
Authors: Perez S; University of California San Diego Health, Department of Surgery, La Jolla, CA, USA. Electronic address: saperez@health.ucsd.edu., Wai M; University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA., Chavez B; University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA., Chriqui S; University of California San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA., Berumen J; University of California San Diego Health, Department of Surgery, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Source: American journal of surgery [Am J Surg] 2025 Nov; Vol. 249, pp. 116551. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Jul 31.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Excerpta Medica Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0370473 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1879-1883 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00029610 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Am J Surg Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: Belle Mead, NJ : Excerpta Medica
Original Publication: New York.
MeSH Terms: Ergonomics* , Internship and Residency* , Quality Improvement* , Musculoskeletal Diseases*/prevention & control , General Surgery*/education , Occupational Diseases*/prevention & control, Humans ; Curriculum
Abstract: Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Background: Poor ergonomic habits in residency contribute to musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders later in a surgeon's career. Despite growing awareness, formal ergonomics training is limited. This study implemented a resident-led ergonomics curriculum to assess its impact on resident habits.
Methods: A 1-h educational session covering MSK disorders, microbreaks, and ergonomics best practices was delivered to general surgery residents. The session included active demonstrations, pre- and post-lecture knowledge assessments, and surveys on ergonomic practices. Follow-up assessments were conducted at 4 months and 1 year.
Results: Among 26 attendees, knowledge scores improved by 16.8 ​% (p ​= ​0.001). At 4-month follow-up 26.7 ​% adopted microbreaks and 46.7 ​% implemented ergonomic exercises into their regular routine. At 1 year, adoption of practices remained similar, with time constraints and faculty disapproval as common barriers.
Conclusion: The curriculum improved ergonomics awareness and practices, but more robust adoption of ergonomic techniques and microbreaks remains limited largely due to hierarchical barriers and time constraints.
(Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Curriculum development; Surgical education; Surgical ergonomics; Trainees as educators
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250808 Date Completed: 20251011 Latest Revision: 20251011
Update Code: 20251012
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2025.116551
PMID: 40780004
Database: MEDLINE
Description
Abstract:Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.<br />Background: Poor ergonomic habits in residency contribute to musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders later in a surgeon's career. Despite growing awareness, formal ergonomics training is limited. This study implemented a resident-led ergonomics curriculum to assess its impact on resident habits.<br />Methods: A 1-h educational session covering MSK disorders, microbreaks, and ergonomics best practices was delivered to general surgery residents. The session included active demonstrations, pre- and post-lecture knowledge assessments, and surveys on ergonomic practices. Follow-up assessments were conducted at 4 months and 1 year.<br />Results: Among 26 attendees, knowledge scores improved by 16.8 ​% (p ​= ​0.001). At 4-month follow-up 26.7 ​% adopted microbreaks and 46.7 ​% implemented ergonomic exercises into their regular routine. At 1 year, adoption of practices remained similar, with time constraints and faculty disapproval as common barriers.<br />Conclusion: The curriculum improved ergonomics awareness and practices, but more robust adoption of ergonomic techniques and microbreaks remains limited largely due to hierarchical barriers and time constraints.<br /> (Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
ISSN:1879-1883
DOI:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2025.116551