Affiliations: Department of Physical Therapy, MGH Institute of
Health Professions, Boston, MA, USA | Department of Physical Therapy, The University of
Scranton, Scranton, PA, USA | Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, PA, USA | Department of Physical Therapy, The University of
Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA | Department of Public Health Sciences, The Pennsylvania
State University, University Park, PA, USA | Department of Health Policy and Administration, The
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Douglas Haladay, Department of
Physical Therapy, MGH
Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA 02129, USA. Tel.: +1 617 643 9170;
Fax: +1 617 724 6321; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: While back pain is common among health care workers in the United
States, the epidemiology of back pain is unclear. Objective: The purpose
of this study was to estimate the incidence and trend of back pain from
work-related injuries among health care workers. Methods: Data from the
Pennsylvania Work Injuries and Illnesses Reports from 2002 to 2006 were
analyzed. Results: Estimated back injuries account for 24.6% of all
reported injuries in healthcare workers in Pennsylvania. From 2002 to 2006,
there was a 22.5% increase in the incidence of reported back pain in this
population. Conclusions: Due to a lack of detailed reports regarding the
incidence of back pain among Pennsylvania healthcare workers, it is recommended
that a survey of healthcare workers who perform patient handling be completed.
Keywords: Work-related injury, back injury, injury surveillance
