Abstract
Objective:
to analyze the elements that influence underreporting of repetitive strain injuries/work-related musculoskeletal disorders (RSI/WMSDs) at the Brazilian notifiable diseases information system (SINAN), from the perspective of the healthcare workers from the Occupational Health Sentinel Service Network.
Method:
qualitative research with 21 healthcare workers who looked after patients with possible diagnosis of RSI/WMSD or who notified these diseases at the sentinel units in the city of Palmas (TO), Brazil. Data were collected from September to November 2011 through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Bardin's content analysis.
Results:
Among the main factors related to RSI/WMSDs underreporting in Palmas, the following are emphasized by the participants: the professionals' hesitation in identifying the injury; the lack of definition or knowledge regarding the role of each professional in identifying and reporting the injury; the insufficient team work; the way some healthcare workers undervalue notifications coupled with their unfamiliarity regarding the data purpose.
Conclusions:
this situation points towards the need for continuously training healthcare workers in a way to foster teamwork that includes discussions on both RSI/WMSDs and the importance of notifying them to the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) database.
Keywords:
RSI/WMSDs; notifiable diseases; occupational health; information systems; SINAN