AWARENESS OF ERGONOMICS AMONG THE PHYSIOTHERAPY AND MEDICAL STUDENTS

BACKGROUND Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with understanding of the interaction among humans and other elements of a system. Thus, ergonomics attempts to always ‘fit the job to the man' having realized the limitations and capabilities of man. The main aim of ergonomics is to reduce the on job risk of injury as well is to improve the productivity which benefits the organization. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to reduce risk of injury to make job easier and ultimately increasing the productivity to the benefits of organization and community. STUDY DESIGN Cross sectional survey. STUDY SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS 300 participants from different physical therapy and medical colleges. INTERVENTIONS Self administered questionnaire. RESULTS It was observed that only 28.67% were aware of the word Ergonomics but 82% of admitted to have knowledge of body posture and productivity in whole sample size. It was noted that 85.33% considered that maintaining body posture can prevent musculoskeletal disorders while on the other hand 14.67% thought that it improves body outlook. 72.33% people admitted to have musculoskeletal problem where 27.67% people replied negatively and different specific tasks contribute to discomfort in posture hence affecting generalized body and the efficiency of work. CONCLUSION It is concluded that level of ergonomics awareness is very low in Pakistan among professional students' e.g. medical and physiotherapy students. This low level of ergonomics awareness is due to the fact that they were not conversant with the benefits derivable of ergonomics.