title: Ergonomic Microscope: Need of the Hour.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prolonged use of conventional microscope develops musculo-skeletal injuries like chronic pain syndrome, including shoulder, neck, back aches & fatigue. Since the problems go unnoticed, the injuries can lead to some serious permanent damages. This further leads to a compromise in the health and welfare of the person and the institute. Hence, an understanding about the ergonomics is the need of the hour in this postmodern era. Inspite of few studies and surveys about ergonomics, there is still a steep rise in the musculoskeletal disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to gauge the general awareness of pathologists, microbiologists and oral pathologists towards ergonomics in their profession.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey based study was de-signed, which included a questionnaire. The questionnaire included multiple choice questions with four alternatives. Professionals (pathologists, microbiologists and oral pathologists) were included in the survey. Teaching faculty (Professors, Associate Professors and Lecturers) and Post graduate students formed the study group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response to the questionnaire was 100%. Less than 50% of oral pathologists were aware of the importance of ergonomics in their profession. The most common site affected was neck and back. One of the drastic observations was that, Oral Pathologists suffered from a combination of problems affecting neck, back, eyes, headache, shoulders, arms and wrists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increase in our understanding regarding ergonomic-ally designed microscopes can increase our efficiency and in turn improve our general well-being. With improvements in ergonomics, professionals would be able to modify and optimize their working conditions. Certain guidelines need to be followed by the profes-sionals to reduce chances of musculoskeletal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, People's Dental academy , Bhopal, India .
authors.forename: Anish Ashok
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Professor & Head, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, People's Dental academy , Bhopal, India .
authors.forename: Shubhangi Ashok
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mhaske
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Student, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, People's Dental academy , Bhopal, India .
authors.forename: Malik Ajaz
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, People's Dental academy , Bhopal, India .
authors.forename: Monal B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Yuwanati
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Student, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, People's Dental academy , Bhopal, India .
authors.forename: Shweta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prabhu
authors.affiliation: Professor & Head, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, NIMS Dental College , Jaipur, India .
authors.forename: Nilesh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pardhe
keywords: CDC guidelines; Conventional microscope; Neutral spine; OSHA; Occupational injury; Work-related musculoskeletal disorder