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After having seen our colleagues suffer, we have learned from this experience and have thought of many ways to manage and prevent further suffering. We propose the following:

• Incorporate injury prevention as part of the residency curriculum. Residents should learn in their training about stretching exercises and the importance of an ergonomic environment. This could be done in addition to resident didactic/conference.
• Have more speakers presenting on occupational injury during our regional and national CME conferences. We can also develop apps that can show how to stretch legs, back, and arms during signout, and pathologists could earn CME credit for Q/A sessions on these apps.
• Make it mandatory in the CAP laboratory accreditation checklist that every pathologist undergo an ergonomic evaluation by the occupational department of the hospital. Also, each pathologist should have a yearly mandatory evaluation of the body and the workplace (required by the American Board of Pathology as a part of continuing certification).
• Impose a mandatory cutoff time for daily microscope use. We should also have periodic questionnaires for pathologists about the pain they are experiencing, which may prompt more frequent ergonomic examinations by occupational departments.

We should take the lead and develop this type of work-related injury program for physicians to prevent further physical damage among our colleagues. If pathology were to develop a structured educational program in this area, other specialties would likely join in.

We should never forget Frederick Alexander (1869–1955), an interesting Australian actor who lost his ability to speak and was convinced it was because of the way he held his neck. He retrained his body through rigorous work and regained the ability to speak. Alexander developed a school in London aimed at correct use of the spine while sitting, standing, working, and walking. We should develop exercise protocols during signout based on the Alexander technique, so we have less suffering.

Jigna C. Jani, MD, and colleagues at
DeKalb Pathology PC, Atlanta
(Dr. Jani joined Atlanta VA Health Care on June 24.)