Ergonomics in online education of medical undergraduates: A challenge to post-COVID transformation in educational activities.
BACKGROUND: Practicing incorrect postures in online and virtual education during the COVID-19 pandemic can cause significant study-related musculoskeletal problems among students. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the knowledge, attitude, and practice of sitting posture and computer ergonomics and stu...
| Publicado en: | Work Vol. 76; no. 1; pp. 21 - 32 |
|---|---|
| Autores principales: | , , |
| Formato: | pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
Sage Publications Inc.
2023
|
| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=172329166&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 172329166 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 10519815 3RC jtl: Work issn: 10519815 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: 2023 vid: 76 iid: 1 pid: 344 pub: Sage Publications Inc. place: Thousand Oaks, California artinfo: ui: 172329166 164038322 172329166 172329166 10.3233/WOR-220397 172329166 ppf: 21 ppct: 11 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Ergonomics in online education of medical undergraduates: A challenge to post-COVID transformation in educational activities. aug: au: Malshani, Wishmila Weerakoon, Harshi Weerakoon, Kosala affil: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Saliyapura, Sri Lanka sug: subj: COVID-19 Pandemic Online Education Students, Undergraduate Students, Medical Ergonomics Musculoskeletal Diseases Student Knowledge Evaluation Student Attitudes Evaluation Sitting Posture Evaluation Habits Human Sri Lanka Cross Sectional Studies Prospective Studies Structured Questionnaires Computers and Computerization Ergonomics Equipment and Supplies Health Behavior Data Analysis Software Descriptive Statistics Chi Square Test Pearson's Correlation Coefficient Home Environment ab: BACKGROUND: Practicing incorrect postures in online and virtual education during the COVID-19 pandemic can cause significant study-related musculoskeletal problems among students. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the knowledge, attitude, and practice of sitting posture and computer ergonomics and study-related musculoskeletal problems in undergraduates who followed online education during the pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey among a cohort of Sri Lankan medical undergraduates was conducted using a structured questionnaire with 56 multiple-choice or Yes/No type questions. RESULTS: Of the 410 participants, over 85% (n = 362) knew the correct posture to sit on the chair type that they frequently used for studies. However, the majority (n = 378,92.20%) practised incorrect sitting postures in which leaning forward (n = 319,77.80%) was the most common suboptimal posture. Knowledge (n = 161,40%) and practice (n = 167,40.73%) on taking frequent breaks were poor among the majority. Their knowledge on computer ergonomics was good (>80%, n = 304) except for the recommended eye-to-screen distance (n = 129,31.46%). Importantly, ∼50% (n = 206) did not practise the recommended eye-to-screen distance. Use of non-adjustable chairs with no armrests (n = 346,84.39%) and smartphones (n = 354,86.34%) were identified as the main factors which hindered correct practices. Study-related pain/discomfort reported by the majority (n = 241,58.78%) is potentially due to suboptimal ergonomics. Their attitude toward learning and practicing correct ergonomics in home workstations was good (n = 383,93.41%). CONCLUSION: Poor practice of posture and computer ergonomics, despite the good knowledge and attitude is possibly due to the suboptimal work environments. Introducing simple practical measures to facilitate ergonomically appropriate work environments is mandatory in virtual education to prevent study-related musculoskeletal problems. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
|---|