The virtual office: A perspective from college students.

BACKGROUND

As the COVID-19 pandemic took root in the United States, most universities quickly transitioned to online and remained there through spring 2021.

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to identify the impact of the switch to online on student home offices and corresponding health outcomes.

METHODS

An online survey was sent out to all student at a large Midwest university to assess the work practices and health outcomes.

RESULTS

In total, 1074 responses were completed. The shift to online not only resulted in most students utilizing laptop computers without external monitors, keyboards, or mouse input devices, but also a major increase in the amount of time spent using technology (on average 31 to 40 hours per week). The amount of severe to extreme discomfort in the neck, shoulder, upper back, and lower back was alarming (above 41%).

CONCLUSION

The home offices of students were often sub-optimal, indicating the need to educate university students.