ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PERSONNEL

CASE STUDY IN A PRIVATE CLINIC

Abstract

This study aims to conduct an ergonomic evaluation of occupational health personnel, specifically focusing on the secretary who receives patients and the physician responsible for their assessment and treatment. To achieve this, the clinic’s database was first consulted to measure patient satisfaction. Subsequently, a checklist using the LEST method was applied to both the occupational physician and the secretary. The results revealed mental workload issues for both positions and significant static postural overload for the secretary. To evaluate mental workload, a continuous time study was conducted, along with self-report measures using the NASA TLX questionnaire and Holter electrocardiogram monitoring to assess heart rate and heart rate variability. For static postural load, an anthropometric evaluation and the ROSA method were applied. The most important findings indicate low patient satisfaction, mainly due to long waiting times, as well as very high levels of mental load according to all three methods used. Additionally, the secretary’s postural risk level was found to be extreme, requiring urgent interventions. Among the main conclusions and recommendations, the need to increase the number of doctors and secretaries stands out, as well as modifications to the secretary’s workstation, including the adoption of an ergonomic chair. All these measures are intended to reduce waiting times and, consequently, improve patient satisfaction.