The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on musculoskeletal disorders-related sick leave among healthcare workers: a retrospective analysis of Slovenian national data
PurposeMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the main causes of health-related absenteeism. MSDs were a known problem among healthcare workers (HCWs) even before COVID-19. The pandemic, with its associated stresses and changes in working conditions, may have influenced the incidence and durati...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1478204/full |
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| author | Dorjana Zerbo Šporin Žiga Kozinc Žiga Kozinc Ticijana Prijon Ticijana Prijon Tanja Metličar Nejc Šarabon Nejc Šarabon Nejc Šarabon |
| author_facet | Dorjana Zerbo Šporin Žiga Kozinc Žiga Kozinc Ticijana Prijon Ticijana Prijon Tanja Metličar Nejc Šarabon Nejc Šarabon Nejc Šarabon |
| author_sort | Dorjana Zerbo Šporin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | PurposeMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the main causes of health-related absenteeism. MSDs were a known problem among healthcare workers (HCWs) even before COVID-19. The pandemic, with its associated stresses and changes in working conditions, may have influenced the incidence and duration of MSDs-related sick leave (SL) among HCWs. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence and duration of MSDs-related SL among HCWs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on differences between age and gender groups.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using Slovenian national SL data on work-related MSDs within NACE Rev. 2 “Human health activities” for 2019, 2020, and 2021, categorized by gender and age.ResultsThe study found that older HCWs, particularly women, consistently had a higher incidence of work-related MSDs SL than their younger counterparts. However, during the pandemic, MSDs were more common among younger men, while the average duration of SL was longer among younger women. On the other hand, in older HCWs, the average SL incidence decreased during the pandemic, while the SL duration substantially increased.ConclusionThe dynamics of MSDs related SL among HCWs are complex and influenced by several factors, including the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare managers should implement tailored strategies to address MSDs-related absenteeism among specific groups of HCWs to promote a healthier workforce and ensure a resilient healthcare system during health crises. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ae8fd8a3f0b14466a531a77ef8a8358e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-ae8fd8a3f0b14466a531a77ef8a8358e2025-01-06T06:59:22ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-01-011210.3389/fpubh.2024.14782041478204The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on musculoskeletal disorders-related sick leave among healthcare workers: a retrospective analysis of Slovenian national dataDorjana Zerbo Šporin0Žiga Kozinc1Žiga Kozinc2Ticijana Prijon3Ticijana Prijon4Tanja Metličar5Nejc Šarabon6Nejc Šarabon7Nejc Šarabon8Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, SloveniaFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, SloveniaUniversity of Primorska, Andrej Marušič Institute, Koper, SloveniaNational Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, SloveniaCommunity Health Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SloveniaNational Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, SloveniaFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, SloveniaUniversity of Primorska, Andrej Marušič Institute, Koper, SloveniaLudwig Boltzmann Institute for Rehabilitation Research, Saint Pölten, AustriaPurposeMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the main causes of health-related absenteeism. MSDs were a known problem among healthcare workers (HCWs) even before COVID-19. The pandemic, with its associated stresses and changes in working conditions, may have influenced the incidence and duration of MSDs-related sick leave (SL) among HCWs. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence and duration of MSDs-related SL among HCWs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on differences between age and gender groups.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using Slovenian national SL data on work-related MSDs within NACE Rev. 2 “Human health activities” for 2019, 2020, and 2021, categorized by gender and age.ResultsThe study found that older HCWs, particularly women, consistently had a higher incidence of work-related MSDs SL than their younger counterparts. However, during the pandemic, MSDs were more common among younger men, while the average duration of SL was longer among younger women. On the other hand, in older HCWs, the average SL incidence decreased during the pandemic, while the SL duration substantially increased.ConclusionThe dynamics of MSDs related SL among HCWs are complex and influenced by several factors, including the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare managers should implement tailored strategies to address MSDs-related absenteeism among specific groups of HCWs to promote a healthier workforce and ensure a resilient healthcare system during health crises.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1478204/fullabsenteeismretrospective datahealthcare occupationshealthcare sectorpresentism |
| spellingShingle | Dorjana Zerbo Šporin Žiga Kozinc Žiga Kozinc Ticijana Prijon Ticijana Prijon Tanja Metličar Nejc Šarabon Nejc Šarabon Nejc Šarabon The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on musculoskeletal disorders-related sick leave among healthcare workers: a retrospective analysis of Slovenian national data Frontiers in Public Health absenteeism retrospective data healthcare occupations healthcare sector presentism |
| title | The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on musculoskeletal disorders-related sick leave among healthcare workers: a retrospective analysis of Slovenian national data |
| title_full | The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on musculoskeletal disorders-related sick leave among healthcare workers: a retrospective analysis of Slovenian national data |
| title_fullStr | The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on musculoskeletal disorders-related sick leave among healthcare workers: a retrospective analysis of Slovenian national data |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on musculoskeletal disorders-related sick leave among healthcare workers: a retrospective analysis of Slovenian national data |
| title_short | The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on musculoskeletal disorders-related sick leave among healthcare workers: a retrospective analysis of Slovenian national data |
| title_sort | impact of the covid 19 pandemic on musculoskeletal disorders related sick leave among healthcare workers a retrospective analysis of slovenian national data |
| topic | absenteeism retrospective data healthcare occupations healthcare sector presentism |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1478204/full |
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