The purpose of this nationwide cross-sectional survey is to determine the prevalence, multidimensional impacts, and associated factors of chronic occupational pain among anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists in Thailand. Due to the physically demanding nature of anesthesia practice-such as prolonged standing, awkward postures during airway management, and high-stress environments-work-related musculoskeletal disorders are highly prevalent but often underreported. This study aims to collect self-reported data via an anonymous online questionnaire to assess pain severity, specific anatomical locations, economic burdens (including absenteeism and presenteeism), and the overall impact on the health-related quality of life. Ultimately, the findings from this study will help establish a national evidence-based database to improve workplace safety, inform occupational health policies, and enhance the overall well-being of anesthesia providers in Thailand.
Anesthesia providers, encompassing both anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists, are highly susceptible to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and chronic occupational pain. The nature of the profession requires prolonged static postures, repetitive movements, manual patient handling, and high-stress clinical management, all of which contribute to cumulative physical strain. Despite the critical role these professionals play in the healthcare system, comprehensive national data regarding the prevalence, severity, and multidimensional impacts of occupational pain within this specific population in Thailand remains highly limited. This study is a nationwide, cross-sectional observational survey designed to evaluate the prevalence of chronic occupational pain and identify its associated factors among Thai anesthesia providers. The target population includes active anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists aged 25 to 60 years who have been working in their current roles for at least six months. The primary objective is to estimate the national prevalence of chronic occupational pain within this professional group. Secondary objectives include: Assessing the severity, interference, and anatomical distribution of the pain using the validated Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF Thai version). Evaluating the impact of chronic pain on the health-related quality of life using the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. Determining the economic burden associated with occupational pain, specifically focusing on healthcare utilization, absenteeism, and presenteeism (reduced work productivity). Exploring the correlation between workplace exposures (e.g., specific clinical procedures, working hours, ergonomic factors) and the development of chronic pain. Data collection will be conducted entirely through a structured, anonymous online questionnaire. The survey is designed with logic-branching to minimize respondent burden, ensuring that participants only answer questions relevant to their specific pain status. By gathering high-quality empirical data, this study aims to raise awareness among healthcare administrators, guide the development of targeted ergonomic interventions, and promote sustainable preventive strategies to secure the physical well-being and career longevity of anesthesia personnel.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,800
Prevalence of Chronic Occupational Pain
The proportion (%) of anesthesia providers experiencing chronic work-related pain, defined as pain lasting for at least 3 months. This is a binary (yes/no) determination collected via a self-reported structured questionnaire assessing the presence and anatomical locations of the pain; no severity scale or scoring system is used for this outcome.
Time frame: At the time of survey completion (Day 1)
Pain Severity and Interference
Assessed using the validated Thai version of the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF). It measures pain severity (scored from 0 = no pain to 10 = pain as bad as you can imagine) and the degree to which pain interferes with daily functions (scored from 0 = does not interfere to 10 = completely interferes). Higher scores indicate greater pain severity and interference.
Time frame: At the time of survey completion (Day 1)
Health-Related Quality of Life
Evaluated using the Thai version of the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. It assesses five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, each rated on a severity scale from 1 (no problems) to 5 (extreme problems). Dimension responses are converted into a single index score using the Thai value set, ranging from a minimum of -0.42 (worse than death) to a maximum of 1.00 (full health). Lower index scores indicate poorer health status, while higher scores indicate better health status.
Time frame: At the time of survey completion (Day 1)
Absenteeism Due to Pain
Measured by the self-reported number of work days missed due to pain over a specified recall period.
Time frame: At the time of survey completion (Day 1)
Presenteeism Due to Pain
Measured by the estimated percentage of reduced work effectiveness while experiencing pain at work over a specified recall period.
Time frame: At the time of survey completion (Day 1)
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