Facilitators and barriers to work-related musculoskeletal disorder prevention behaviors among healthcare professionals: A comprehensive review
- VernacularTitle:医护人员工作相关肌肉骨骼疾患预防行为的促进因素与阻碍因素：一项系统综述
- Author:
Haijing MA
1
;
Su’e YUAN
2
;
Hui ZHU
3
;
Yujia CHEN
4
;
Ping SONG
4
;
Huiqin YU
5
;
Yunxia LI
4
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: work-related musculoskeletal disorders; healthcare workers; social ecological model; ergonomics; occupational health
- From: Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(3):387-394
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) represent a significant occupational health challenge among healthcare professionals globally, posing substantial threats to physical and mental well-being as well as work sustainability. Adopting preventive behaviors—including ergonomic postural adjustments, optimized work-rest scheduling, proper use of protective and assistive equipment, and regular physical activity—is essential for mitigating the risk of WMSDs. Guided by the social ecological model, the review synthesized current evidence on the determinants of WMSDs preventive behaviors across four levels: intrapersonal characteristics, work environment conditions, interpersonal support, and policy/institutional factors. The findings suggest that higher educational attainment, favorable health-related behavioral patterns, optimized ergonomic work environments, adoption of supportive collaborative systems, strong organizational support, as well as policy safeguards facilitate preventive behavior adoption. Conversely, limited prevention-related knowledge, low risk perception, insufficient physical activity, excessive workload, lack of appropriate protective equipment, inadequate ergonomic training, a prevailing culture of presenteeism, and inadequate policy implementation constitute significant barriers. Multi-dimensional intervention strategies targeting these determinants are warranted to enhance preventive behaviors, reduce the risk of WMSDs, and strengthen occupational health protection for healthcare professionals.
