Gender Effects on Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Physician Computer Users in Outpatient Diagnostic Clinics

摘要

A survey of computer use patterns among 179 physicians within multiple outpatient diagnostic clinics of amajor healthcare system in the USA showed significant gender effects. A majority of physicians reporteddaily use of a desk mounted computer. Female physicians spent more time using a computer, were morelikely to adjust the keyboard, but felt less familiar with the adjustability features. Over half of respondentsreported upper body musculoskeletal discomfort. Female physicians experienced more frequent neck,shoulder, upper back and right hand musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms which seem to relate to theirhours of computer use. Implications for the increased use of computers in healthcare are described.