La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia, is conducting an international survey of prosthetists and orthotists about their physical and psychosocial well-being and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The study is being undertaken to develop an understanding of the work-related hazards within the profession. The researchers stated WMSDs affect many healthcare employees; heavy lifting, adverse postures, and general wear and tear are contributory factors of WMSDs. They further stated that research shows that current strategies to reduce WMSDs do not adequately address all of the work-related causal factors that may contribute to these injuries.
Prosthetists and orthotists with and without injuries are invited to complete the survey. The original closing date was June 30, but it has been extended as the researchers are seeking additional respondents.
Replies to the survey are anonymous, and the researchers will not be able to identify any participating individual. The results will appear in a research thesis and may be presented at a conference or published in a journal. Results from the study will made be available upon request. Questions regarding the survey can be addressed to Sarah Anderson at sarah.anderson@latrobe.edu.au.
