The Impact of Ergonomics Training on Work Practices for Ultrasound Technology Students

Ultrasound technologists frequently experience work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study evaluated the impact of an ergonomics training program on task-related behaviors among ultrasound technology students within an ultrasound education program ( n = 17), and their work practices were evaluated through video analysis. This study identified eight tasks that were usually performed during ultrasound scans and ergonomic training influenced the task sequence and distribution of posture exposure during those tasks. This study also identified several task-related behaviors among participants after training, which included workstation adjustments ( n = 13), taking short breaks during scans ( n = 10), repositioning patients ( n = 6) and task switching to reduce long uninterrupted postures. There was also significantly lower maximum uninterrupted posture duration ( p = .031) and significantly higher task transition frequency ( p = .037) after training. These findings suggest that ergonomic training may positively influence the task behaviors among ultrasound technology students and encourage learning best practice postures while developing technical expertise.