Ergonomic improvements in the working environment of Singaporean Ophthalmologists in the outpatient clinics

• Main Author: Lin, Dianxiang.
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering; DRNTU::Engineering::Industrial engineering::Human factors engineering; DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering::Machine design and construction
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/53763
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Ophthalmologists have long since been plagued with back pains and neck aches. This is particularly with Asians as the equipment which the Ophthalmologists use, are designed and made by companies based in the US or Europe. Hence, it is suspected that these equipment are not designed for Asians, where the range of body sizes are significantly different compared to Caucasians. This project analyzes the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Eye Clinic outpatient clinics with the anthropometric measurements of the doctors. With the results of the analysis, ergonomics mismatch was found as with the suspicion of the doctors themselves. The new adopted postures of the doctors were found to be worse than the correct and normal posture the equipment was designed for. Therefore, to improve the comfort level of the doctors, some modification of the current equipment is needed. Adjustability range of the tables would need to be increased at the lower bound in order to cater to the smaller Asians. Adjustable cushions would also be needed to allow easier reach for the shorter female doctors. Also, with the suggestion of Assistant Professor Park Taezoon, a new device was thought of, in order to relieve the awkward wrist posture that the doctors experience when utilizing an external lens during examination or laser surgery. However, this plan is still in the concept phase. Overall, the studies and analysis in the comfort of ophthalmologists are still ongoing worldwide, with musculoskeletal disorders happening to ophthalmologists around the world. Further research and trials are required before the situation could be further improved upon.