BackgroundWork-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) remain a major occupational health concern in hospital settings, largely due to manual patient handling. Understanding the challenges faced by nurses and nursing assistants in patient handling is crucial for the effective implementation of safety interventions and the long-term protection of healthcare workers.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the work constraints experienced by nurses and nursing assistants during patient handling practices in a Portuguese hospital.MethodsA qualitative research design was adopted, combining 38 semi-structured interviews with non-participant observations.ResultsKey constraints included staff shortages, deficiencies in care coordination, time constraints, and cultural resistance to change among nursing staff. Limited availability and inaccessibility of patient handling equipment were also frequently reported.ConclusionsThe study proposes context-specific, data-driven recommendations to improve patient handling practices and promote a safer working environment for healthcare workers.
Afonso-Fernandes et al. (Thu,) studied this question.