Ergonomics and GI endoscopy.

Gastroenterologists are at risk for overuse injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis, and lateral epicondylitis due to the repetition and prolonged awkward postures associated with endoscopy. Much attention has been paid to the safety of patients during endoscopic procedures, but the safety of the physician is often forgotten. Indeed, the rigorous training and increasing demand for colonoscopy have made the gastroenterologist a commodity in today’s workplace. Surveybased studies estimate a 37% to 89% prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among gastroenterologists, although the proportion of occupation-related injuries is unknown. According to a recent American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) survey, gastroenterologists spend 43% of their time performing endoscopy, and increased endoscopy volume is associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal complaints. Ergonomics is the study of the physical and cognitive demands of a task in relation to an individual’s capacity. In effect, ergonomics evaluates how a job can best be fit to an individual, instead of forcing an individual to fit into a job. Because work-related injuries can be devastating to a physician’s livelihood, it is important for physicians to be educated on ergonomic principles to minimize the risk for endoscopy-related injury. We herein review the available literature on the prevalence, risk factors, and potential mechanisms for upper extremity and neck injuries in endoscopists and propose general ergonomic guidelines to reduce these risks.