Rehabilitation ergonomists: standards for development.
Ergonomics, in the traditional definition, is the science of design of work sites and work methods which influence production performance. In recent years, worker complaints and reports of injuries have caused evaluation of the effect of work stressors on workers. Currently, the rehabilitation specialist plays a pivotal role in both prevention and management of physical work related complaints. Rehabilitation ergonomic practitioners combine a scientific background in function and pathology with the act of developing preventive or restorative remedies. A volunteer group of sixteen rehabilitation professionals who utilize ergonomic principles in the workplace developed a document, identifying job functions of the newly defined field. This paper presents philosophy and a model for educational development and potential credentialing areas for rehabilitation ergonomists.
Isernhagen Work Systems, 1015 E. Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802, USA.
S J
SJ
Isernhagen
Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes, Great Falls, VA, USA.
D L
DL
Hart
Washington University School of Medicine, Program in Occupational Therapy, St. Louis, MO, USA.
L N
LN
Matheson
Cumulative trauma disorders; Ergonomics; Pathology; Rehabilitation; Work sites