title: Records review of musculoskeletal injuries in aeromedical evacuation personnel.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aeromedical evacuation providers care for patients during air transport. By applying standard medical practices, oftentimes developed for ground care, these practitioners perform their mission duties under additional physical stress in this unique medical environment. Awkward postures and excessive forces are common occurrences among personnel operating in this domain. Additionally, anecdotal reports highlight the risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries for these providers. Currently, there is limited research focusing on musculoskeletal injuries in aeromedical evacuation providers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries and associated symptoms in aeromedical evacuation providers to understand the risk and burden of these injuries to military personnel.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study utilized a retrospective review of military medical records containing ICD-9 codes to investigate the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries within flight nurses and medical technicians compared to their non-flying counterparts from 2006 through 2011. Data were analyzed from 2013 through 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although musculoskeletal injuries were identified within the test populations, results showed fewer injuries for aeromedical evacuation populations compared to non-aeromedical evacuation counterparts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One contributing factor may be a potential under-reporting of musculoskeletal injuries resulting from the fear of being placed on limited flying status. As flyers, aeromedical evacuation personnel must undergo yearly medical examinations and complete training courses that emphasize proper lifting techniques and physical requirements necessary for the safe and efficient transport of patients on various platforms. These additional requirements may create a healthy worker effect, likely contributing to lower musculoskeletal injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Aeromedical Research, 711th Human Performance Wing, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Serres
authors.affiliation: the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Electronic address: brittany.fouts.ctr@us.af.mil.
authors.forename: Brittany L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Fouts
authors.affiliation: Department of Aeromedical Research, 711th Human Performance Wing, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine.
authors.forename: Susan F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Dukes
authors.affiliation: Department of Aeromedical Research, 711th Human Performance Wing, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine.
authors.forename: Genny M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Maupin
authors.affiliation: Peerless Technologies Corp., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.
authors.forename: Molly E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Wade
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017732:Air Ambulances; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology