IMPORTANCE OF ACTIVE LISTENING IN TREATING WORKERS WITH MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

Female assembly workers reporting constant neck and shoulder pain, des pite ergonomically acceptable working conditions, were interviewed. As a starting point in the interviews, the patients were asked to descri be their general situation at work. Their reports were fed back and di scussed with company management in a wider group meeting and resulted in an improvement in their attitudes to those workers. A climate of co nfidence and well-being was created, which the women experienced as ge nuine. The workers' report of pains improved dramatically and absence due to musculoskeletal disorders was reduced by more than 90% during t he following year.