FACTORS AFFECTING THE PROMOTION OF BACK CARE PRACTICES AMONG NURSES WORKING IN LONG TERM CARE SETTINGS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal injuries and disorders are multifactorial and have diverse negative occupational, economic, and health impacts, including poor quality of life, high compensation costs, and reduced productivity among the working populations. The impact is noticeable among nurses due to the physical demands of their duties, such as patient positioning and mobilization. Several approaches, including back-care programs, have been implemented to prevent negative impact and reduce the incidence of low back pain among nurses. However, back-care practices are influenced by various factors that affect their success among nurses, especially those working in long-term care settings. Aim: This integrative review aims to identify the factors that promote back-care practices among nurses working in long-term care settings. Method: This integrative review was guided by Whittemore and Knafl’s (2005) framework. Three databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between 2011 and 2021 based on set inclusion and exclusion criteria. A hand search was also conducted among the reference lists of the included peer-reviewed articles. The identified articles were critically appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data was then extracted, and the various barriers and facilitators of back-care practices were noted based on the three levels of the Socio-Ecological Model: individual, organizational, and environmental. Results: Three main factors that influence back-care practices include lack of knowledge among nurses about the programs, lack of organizational support, and lack of maneuvering space. Conclusion: It is imperative that educational sessions related to the safe handling of patients be provided to nurses to increase their knowledge and implementation of appropriate back-care practices. Keywords: work-related musculoskeletal injuries, long-term care nurses, back care practices, socio-ecological model