Surgical Ergonomics: The Operating Room as an Ergonomics Lab

The performance of surgery imposes physical challenges with potentially lasting consequences on surgeons. The
surgeon operates in relatively static positions, held for long periods of time, resulting in stiffness and pain that
often persists outside of the operating room. Ergonomic risk factors for pain/discomfort are awkward postures,
static positions, high force exertion and long periods of working time without breaks. However, surgeons accept of
pain and discomfort as the “cost of the job” and accept of the poor Sergonomic working conditions for the sake of
their patients where “the needs of the patient come first”. Both the physical and mental workloads for surgeons and
their teams are high. These two stressors in combination with long hours with little time for recovery can lead to
work-related musculoskeletal disorders, reduction in quality of life and burn-out for the surgeon and surgical team

Susan Hallbeck, PhD, PE, CPE
Mayo Clinic
Occupational Health Speaker Series
EHS 668 / IOE 837
Friday, January 26, 2018 1:00-2:00 p.m.
with optional Q&A from 2:00-2:30
Located in 1690 SPH