Page 33 - IIMV Newsletter_30 May 2024

RESEARCH @ IIMV

Modeling of risk factors leading to workrelated

musculoskeletal disorders in medical practitioners
Sanjib Kumar Das, Vishal Singh Patyal, Sudhir Ambekar
Published in the Journal of Safety Science (ABDC-A)

Growing globalization and industrialization in the last few decades
have significantly increased occupational-related health issues

among the workforce. Multiple studies conducted under occupational
safety and health have firmly established the association between
physical and occupational factors and the pathogenesis of work-
related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study investigates
the interrelationship between risk factors associated with WMSDs,
as no studies in the past have attempted to probe so diligently. Eight
major potential risk factors were identified through a Delphi study, and

their interrelationships were identified using interpretative structural
modeling (ISM), showing their driving power and dependence. The
established risk factors’ influence and co-dependence were analyzed
using the Matriced Impacts Croises Appliquee an un Classement
(MICMAC) analysis. The study’s findings show that organizational-
level factors such as ‘organizational culture’ and ‘repetitive tasks’
have the highest driving factor, followed by ‘prolonged exposure
to a given task’ and ‘time and work demands. The organizational
level factors drive the physical factors, namely ‘prolonged static

postures’ and ‘awkward posture’, that in turn drives the job-related
factors such as job satisfaction and work-related stress. A possible
risk mitigation strategy to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort in
healthcare practitioners is proposed. Future studies may formulate
ergonomic adaptations based on this study to alleviate the risk
hazards. Understanding the interrelationship among the risk factors
would help healthcare organizations prioritize their employment

policies and efficiently manage their workforce, successfully leading
to WMSDs attenuation and enhancing the quality of life in medical
practitioners. Click here for the paper.

Faculty and PhD Student Co-authored Publications

Analysis and influence mapping of socio-technical challenges
for developing decarbonization and circular economy
practices in the construction and building industry.
Vigdyasagar Gembali., Aalok Kumar., & PRS Sarma,

Published in the journals of Annals of Operations Research (ABDC-A)

30 VOL.5/ ISSUE 2, JAN-APRIL 2024