EK HEALTH

-by Kim Granata-Clark, MS in Human Factors and Ergonomics, Ergonomic Specialist

Do you use a document holder to reference documents?  There is a chance that you are referencing documents on the work surface by leaning your body forward, bending the head down, and then looking up at the monitor to type the notes. 

Document holders can sit on the work surface between the keyboard and monitor, which is ideal. Make sure to lower and angle the document holder so you can see the applications on the bottom of the monitor screen.  This allows you to reduce neck flexion (head bent down) to reference documents on your work surface.  You can move your eyes from the document to the monitor without moving your head.  
You can also attach the document holder to the side of the monitor.  This allows you to move your head slightly to the left or right to reference documents while working on the computer.  It should be placed on the dominant eye side or the side that is most comfortable to reference documents.  This is an option when there is not much room between the keyboard and monitor such as when you use your keyboard and mouse on the work surface.

If you reference documents, consider a document holder.