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Musculoskeletal symptoms in pharmaceutical sales representatives
journal contribution
posted on 2010-07-12, 09:32 authored by Katherine J.C. Sang, Diane E. Gyi, Cheryl HaslamBackground: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a leading cause of work-related ill health. Existing literature
indicates that pharmaceutical sales representatives (PSRs) report a high prevalence of MSDs, possibly
exacerbated by the nature of work (prolonged driving and manual handling). In addition, they experience
difficulty in accessing occupational health services. Aims: To assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and associated risk factors among PSRs in
order to assist their occupational health management through raising risk awareness. Methods: A self-completed questionnaire distributed to 205 PSRs within a UK pharmaceutical company was
used to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, psychosocial factors, work tasks undertaken
and company car use. To assist understanding of work tasks and organizational factors, semistructured
interviews were undertaken with a sample of 12 key personnel. Results: The questionnaire response rate was 68%. PSRs reported high mileage and 100% reported working
from the car in a typical day. Forty-seven per cent reported both manual handling for ‡4 h/day and
‘often’ or ‘sometimes’ working from the car. Fifty-seven per cent reported low back symptoms in the
last 12 months. Interview data revealed issues relating to car choice, storage in the boot and working
from the car, which should be considered when developing priorities for preventive management of
MSDs. Conclusions Musculoskeletal symptoms appear to be a problem for PSRs, with risk factors reported as prolonged
driving, sitting in the car, working from the car and manual handling. Interventions to facilitate their
occupational health management should focus on raising awareness of the risks of prolonged driving
and working from the car.
History
School
- Design
Citation
SANG, K.J.C., GYI, D.E. and HASLAM, C., 2010. Musculoskeletal symptoms in pharmaceutical sales representatives. Occupational Medicine, 60 (2), pp. 108–114.Publisher
Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine / © The AuthorsVersion
- VoR (Version of Record)
Publication date
2010Notes
This article is Closed Access. It was published in the journal, Occupational Medicine, and the definitive version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqp145ISSN
0962-7480Language
- en