Post written by Neena Mohan, MD, from the Division of Gastroenterology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

This article evaluated gastroenterologists’ goals for ergonomic colonoscope design changes.

This study was important to conduct to identify the importance of ergonomics in endoscopy to gastroenterologists and the ergonomic colonoscope design changes that are a priority to practicing gastroenterologists. Several studies have confirmed the significant risk for endoscopy-related injury in gastroenterology. Our study was created to take the next steps in addressing endoscopic features that require change to prevent musculoskeletal injury.

Cost and time are barriers to swift technologic changes, but physician resistance to change and learning to use a new device are barriers as well. Therefore, this survey focused on evaluating colonoscope design changes that gastroenterologists desire. The goal of this study is for its results to help endoscopists and industry collaborate to design scopes more aligned with best ergonomic principles in order to reduce and prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

What is new: This article reports the results of the first national survey, to our knowledge, to assess gastroenterologist preferences for ergonomic colonoscope design changes. The majority of gastroenterologists want the colonoscope design to be more ergonomic and more customizable for hand size.

Changing the design of the wheels because of thumb strain was noted to be the most important ergonomic change desired by gastroenterologists. Women were more likely to want the design of the colonoscope to be more ergonomic and customizable for hand size (P < .001).

What is next: The survey results suggest interest and desire among gastroenterologists for a more ergonomic colonoscope design. Although the optimal design of such a platform is yet to be clear, this survey serves as a clear call for research and development efforts toward such an end. Close collaboration between endoscope manufacturers and a diverse array of practicing endoscopists of all anthropomorphic types will be crucial in designing a platform that allows all endoscopists to safely and effectively deliver care.

Responses to evaluate if the design of the colonoscope should be changed to be more ergonomic.

Read the full article online.

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