The Hidden Epidemic: Pain Among Physicians and Other Health Professionals

Healthcare professionals dedicate their careers to healing others, yet many suffer silently from a pervasive occupational hazard: pain. From emergency room physicians to surgeons, the physical demands of medical practice take a significant toll on practitioners. Moreover, even the sedentary aspect of clinical work, especially in a telehealth setting, takes it own toll. Thus, work-related pain among physicians and other clinicians is more common than many realize.

A Silent Problem

Work-related pain is actually quite common among health care professionals. In fact, research shows that the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders clinicians, depending on the population, ranges from about 64% to 97%.^1,2 These ergonomic injuries represent a significant issue that costs approximately $15 billion to $20 billion annually.³ Further, work-related pain can have a significant impact on clinicians ability to continue to practice medicine.

Chronic, work-related pain among physicians can impact manual dexterity, reduce executive functioning, and lead to difficulties during interpersonal interactions. Research also suggests that healthcare providers who experience work-related pain are more likely to make errors and report decreased job satisfaction.⁴ In one meta-analysis, among physicians with a work-related musculoskeletal disease (most commonly, degenerative cervical spine disease, rotator cuff disorders, degenerative lumbar spine disease, and carpal tunnel syndrome), 12% (277 of 2319) of physicians required a leave of absence, practice restriction or modification, or early retirement.⁵ Further, a recent survey demonstrated that there is a high correlation between chronic musculoskeletal pain and career burnout among surgeons.⁶

Pain Among Our Clinician Readers

To understand the issue of work-related pain further, we conducted a brief survey in LIfeBrief this month. Among respondents, 53% (9 of 17 clinicians) indicated that they occasionally experience physical pain related to their job, and the areas most impacted by pain are their back (8 clinicians), neck (7 clinicians) and feet (5 clinicians). Further, 73% of respondents indicated that the work-related pain they experience is at least somewhat severe. While 43% (6 of 14) reported that work-related pain has a low impact on their ability to perform clinical tasks, 21% (3 of 14) reported that work-related pain has a moderate impact. Respondents were most likely to note standing or sitting for long periods of time as significant contributors to their work-related pain. Overall, these data provide a brief snapshot of work-related pain among a group of our readers. This pain is real and can impact a clinician’s ability to perform their clinical duties. If you experience work-related pain, you are not alone.

Breaking the Cycle

Addressing work-related body pain among providers requires a multi-faceted approach involving individual clinicians, healthcare institutions, and the broader medical community.

Individual Strategies

Ergonomic Awareness: Learning proper body mechanics and positioning can significantly reduce injury risk.7 Simple changes like adjusting monitor height or using ergonomic keyboards can make a substantial difference. Further, many surgeons lack awareness and proper training related to operative posture, making such education critical for injury prevention.⁸

Exercise: Maintaining physical fitness through targeted exercises can strengthen supporting muscles and improve flexibility. Focus on core strengthening, posture correction, and activities that counteract work-related positions. Range of motion exercises are a component of such training.

Micro-breaks: Taking brief breaks every 30-60 minutes to stretch and change position can prevent the accumulation of muscle tension.⁹ Encouraging movement throughout shifts helps reduce stiffness and fatigue. Beyond simply standing up and moving around, these microbreaks can be used for ‘exercise snacks,’ that is, engaging in a single exercise that can be completed in a minute or two. This can include exercises such as pushups or squats when a private area is available, curls or lifts if weights or bands are available, or stretching exercises that are available in almost any situation.

Footwear: Investing in supportive, comfortable shoes or clogs designed for long periods of standing can reduce lower extremity and back pain. Anti-fatigue mats and compression stockings may also help reduce edema and promote blood flow.¹⁰

Institutional Changes

Workplace and Equipment Design: Thoughtful design of clinical spaces can minimize awkward positioning and reduce the need for excessive reaching or bending. Healthcare facilities should invest in adjustable workstations, ergonomic seating, and equipment designed to reduce physical strain on staff.

Education: Regular training on proper body mechanics and injury prevention should be mandatory for all healthcare personnel. Prevention measures like ergonomic education during medical training and targeted interventions can help mitigate these risks.¹⁰

Support Services: Providing on-site physical therapy, massage therapy, or ergonomic consultations can help prevent and address emerging problems.

Beyond the obvious human cost, work-related injuries among physicians create significant economic burden. Healthcare facilities face increased workers’ compensation claims, higher turnover rates, and the costs associated with temporary staffing. The investment in ergonomic improvements and prevention programs often pays for itself through reduced injury rates and improved staff retention.

Looking Ahead: The Necessary Culture Shift

Addressing work-related body pain in physicians and other providers requires a shift within the culture surrounding medicine and healthcare. The traditional “tough it out” mentality that pervades healthcare must give way to recognition that clinician well-being directly impacts patient care quality. Support for prioritizing ergonomics and surgeon well-being is necessary to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders and improve patient outcomes.¹¹

Medical and other professional schools and training programs should incorporate ergonomics training into their curricula, teaching future physicians not only how to diagnose and treat illness, but how to protect their own bodies throughout long careers. Healthcare institutions must recognize that investing in physician well-being isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential for maintaining high-quality patient care and organizational sustainability.

Work-related body pain among providers represents a significant but often overlooked challenge in healthcare. By acknowledging the problem, implementing evidence-based prevention strategies, and fostering a culture that prioritizes physician well-being, we can work toward a future where healthcare providers can maintain long, healthy careers while delivering exceptional patient care.

References

1. Hailu MT, Gebreyesus YD, Gebremeskel GG. Prevalence and factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorder among health care providers working in the operation room. Heliyon. 2021;7(11):e08402.
2. Santos M, Portela D, Pereira-Silva B, Luz S, Onofrio R, Quaresma AM. Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Psychological and Physical Risk Factors. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(16):8359.
3. Welsh D. 5 steps to prevent physician ergonomic injuries in your organization. American Medical Association. Published August 20, 2019. Accessed September 23, 2025. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/5-steps-prevent-physician-ergonomic-injuries-your-organization
4. Balogh I, Arvidsson I, Björk J, et al. Work-related neck and upper limb disorders – quantitative exposure-response relationships adjusted for personal characteristics and psychosocial conditions. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019;20(1):139.
5. Epstein S, Sparer EH, Tran BN, et al. Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Surgeons and Interventionalists: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Surg. 2018;153(2):e174947.
6. Steadman S, Seibel C, Hallbeck MS, Norasi H, Zhang A, Chrouser, K. The impact of work-related pain on surgical team members’ burnout and personal and professional performance. The American Journal of Surgery. 2025; 116508.
7. Bhargava A, Chanmugam A, Herman M, Raza H, Mayer J. The epidemic of the work-related musculoskeletal injury in orthopedic surgery: An analysis of 10 years of United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration data. Am J Ind Med. 2018;61(1):19-27.
8. Robertson M, Amick BC 3rd, DeRango K, et al. The effects of an office ergonomics training and chair intervention on worker knowledge, behavior and musculoskeletal risk. Appl Ergon. 2009;40(1):124-135.
9. García MG, Läubli T, Martin BJ. Long-term muscle fatigue after standing work. Hum Factors. 2015;57(7):1162-1173.
10. Droeze EH, Jonsson H. Evaluation of ergonomic interventions to reduce musculoskeletal disorders of dentists in the Netherlands. Work. 2005;25(3):211-220.
11. Stomberg MW, Tronstad SE, Hedberg K, et al. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders when performing laparoscopic surgery. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2010;20(1):49-53.