Neck Pain Associated with Computer Use: Public Health Implications by Bart N Green - Essay Example

Neck Pain Associated with Computer Use: Public Health Implications by Bart N Green The main purpose of this material It has been cited that the prolonged computer use in the work places while the daily recreational and working activities is a major cause of the neck pain. The article reviews the literature that exists in public health in the context of the association between neck pain and the computer use within the workplace. Despite the fact that some of the retrospective studies that have been carried out hold the hypothesis indicating that the frequent computer use within the workplace causes neck pain, few of the studies have revealed causal relationships. Moreover, the literatures have also provided several other risk factors in addition to the computer use. The significance of the human factor theory in the reinforcement of the interventions that promote successful professional practice has increasingly gained recognition in the present society. Indeed, the safety of the employees has been attracting substantial attention. The author discussed the various applications of the principles of human factors in the context of prevention of neck pain as well as control activities. The key question addressed in this material The musculoskeletal disorders comprises of the most expensive and widespread problems that exist within the public health with North America as well as Europe within the contemporary society with an estimated cost of 0.5 percent to 2 percent of the Gross National Product (GNP). Particularly, the unrelenting of the neck pain has been on the increase within the past two decades and were the second most common musculoskeletal disorder after the back pain. Half of the populace or more are reported to have been experiencing neck pain in the past six months and research carried out has indicated that the women have a higher probability of developing and suffering from the relentless neck pain. However, the article is more concerned on the impact associated with the computer use in the workplace. The human factors theory was used within the high-risk industries; nevertheless its importance to the workplace settings as well as the employee safety requires increased investigation. The question that the author has discussed in the article is the application of the human factors within the context of prevention of neck pain and control activities. This has remained an area that is largely unexploited. Indeed, the necessity of ensuring prevention of neck pain as well as death related to it has been accorded significance by the author. Nonetheless, the authors recognize through the literatures reviewed that computer use within the workplace is not the only cause of neck pain. The context of this material The article indicates that computer use among several other factors causes neck pain within the workplace. This affects productivity of the employees negatively and should, therefore, be curbed. The improvement of the safety of the employees is based on the understanding of the various interactions that exist within the workplace. This includes the procedures and practices they perform, the organization, their work environment, technology, politics, economy, teamwork, as well as culture and the value system known as culture or safety climate. The human factors according to the author are errors committed within the workplace system, but can be avoided in order to ensure productivity. Moreover, with adequate measures put in place in curbing human factors, there will be increased productivity. The human factors theory looks at the whole process that generates the actual error and not simply an individual who commits the error. Therefore, to ensure maximum prevention and control, all other factors apart from the computer use should be evaluated, and strategies formulated to curb them. The main point(s) of view presented in this material There are several main points that are discussed in the article. First, the article looks at the etiology of neck pain in the work place. Secondly, it identifies the incidence and prevalence of neck pain in the workplace. Thirdly, it identifies the significance and various health dimensions of neck pain in the context of computer use in the workplace. Finally, it provides the prevention strategies as well as public health policy implications. The key concept(s) in this material The article recognizes that neck pain is a public health problem and that computer use within the workplace is a major cause. Therefore, the key concept in this article is the fact that preventionists are required to work in collaboration with the other human factors experts when designing, implementing, and evaluating the interventions aimed at preventing neck pain within the workplace and particularly that caused by computer use. Indeed, the prevention and subsequent control of neck pain through computer use in the work plain is the focus of the literature review carried out in this article. The most important information in this material The most significant information presented in the article indicates that it's high time the capacity of neck pain prevention as well as control was strengthened. This can be done through the embedment of the principles of human factors, expertise, methods, and tools. All these are aimed at ensuring safety of the employees. Indeed, all the other factors that cause neck pain among employees including computer use should be curbed in order to increase their productivity and eliminate neck pain related deaths among them. The main inferences and/or interpretations of this material The human factor theory as stipulates the whole process that generates the error and not the individual who commits the error. The organizations are expected to come up with sufficient measures to ensure that all the human errors whether intentional or simply unintentional is curbed. This will make ensure safety of the employees in the workplace and eliminate neck pain among them. Identify the implications and consequences Prevention and control of neck pain among the employees in the work as several implications that includes increased productivity. Moreover, the loss of employees through illness and death related to neck pain will also be curbed ensuring that employees are retained. Summary It is significant to indicate that the article has highlighted several other factors that cause neck pain with a main focus on computer use in the workplace. Moreover, the strategies on primary prevention have been confined on evaluating the environmental exposure to the ergonomic risk factors. Further, the article concludes that more studies should be carried out on other factors causing neck pain to ensure that it is fully curbed within the workplace. In a nutshell, computer use in the workplace is a significant cause of neck pain in the workplace, but it should not be looked at in isolation. Works Cited Green, N. B art. A literature review of neck pain associated with computer use: public health implications. J Can Chiropr Assoc 52(3) (2008): 161-167. Retrieved on September 21, 2014 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2528269/ Read More