Changes in General Health and Musculoskeletal Outcomes in the Workforce of a Hospital Undergoing Rapid Change: A Longitudinal Study

This article aimed to examine changes in general health and time with back pain and neck pain and to identify predictors of any such changes. Hospital workers were studied longitudinally with surveys in 1995, 1996, and 1997 (N = 712). Back and neck pain were reported only at the 2nd and 3rd surveys. There was a significant decline in general health and significant increases in time with neck pain and back pain. Predictors of changes in these outcomes were mainly work-related variables (initial or change values), such as job interference with family, job influence, work psychological demands, and hours worked.