Objective: To identify health problems among outpatient nursing personnel with high physiological workload and high Body Mass Index (BMI]), and their impact on the nursing personnel quality of life. Methods: A descriptive quantitative-qualitative approach was used. The sample consisted of 22 nursing personnel from an outpatient clinic from a university teaching hospital of São Paulo city. Data was collected though interview using a specific instrument developed for the study. Results: Nursing personnel physiological workload (42.11%) and high BMI (26.32%) were associated with musculoskeletal disorders characterized by pain in different parts of the body, leg varices and microvessels, and foot callosities. Conclusion: Although working at the outpatient clinic is perceived as "a gift," the reported health problems negatively affected the quality of life and the job performance of the nursing personnel.
Occupational risks; Worker health; Quality of life
