Ergonomics and cytotechnologists: reported musculoskeletal discomfort.

Analysis of this survey of 244 responding cytotechnologists shows that a high percentage still suffer from musculoskeletal disorders commonly associated with poor ergonomic design in the workplace, despite the variety of ergonomically designed microscopes that have been introduced into the market. Although Kalavar and Hunting surveyed a small group of cytotechnologists in the Washington, DC, area in 1996, no broad-based study has focused specifically on these professionals. The landmark study of microscope ergonomics, published by Soderberg in 1980, documented widespread musculoskeletal complaints in the electronics industry.