# Work Complexity and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Healthcare Workers

## TL;DR

This study finds that healthcare workers in Brazil experience similar musculoskeletal symptoms regardless of the complexity of their work environment.

## Contribution

It challenges the assumption that work complexity affects musculoskeletal symptoms and provides targeted intervention frameworks.

## Key findings

- Healthcare workers showed similar symptom burdens across different work complexity levels.
- Symptom intensity and location varied, but not by work complexity.
- Distinct symptom profiles were developed for targeted occupational interventions.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: To investigate whether healthcare workers present different characteristics of musculoskeletal symptoms depending on the level of complexity in which these professionals work in the Brazilian Unified Health System. Methods: Health professionals were recruited from 24 health institutions, using probabilistic stratified sampling. Data were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. We obtained the questionnaire scores through exploratory factor analysis. Based on the scores, individuals could be grouped into symptom configurations using a non-hierarchical clustering algorithm (K-means). Results: The created groups differed in symptom intensity and location but did not differ by level of work complexity, as defined by Brazil’s healthcare sector division. Therefore, regardless of the level of complexity at which professionals perform their activities in the Brazilian Unified Health System, the burden of musculoskeletal symptoms related to the factor under analysis is similar. We developed distinct symptom profiles for each group, accompanied by targeted occupational intervention recommendations. Conclusions: This study challenges conventional assumptions by demonstrating that musculoskeletal symptom burden remains consistent across varying levels of work complexity, while providing a practical framework for developing targeted interventions based on symptom profiles.