Work

Engineering definition

1. Energy where mechanical effort is involved, measured in joules. A joule is defined as the force needed to accelerate 1 kilogram 1 meter per second per second.
2. In thermodynamics, the energy transferred by the system to its surroundings that is fully accounted for solely by macroscopic forces exerted on the system by factors external to it, that is to say, factors in its surroundings. This is a version of the concept of work employed in physics.

Medical definition

1. Physical or mental effort to achieve a result.
2. The product of force acting against resistance to produce motion.

Confusion

In engineering, work has a very specific meaning and is measured in joules. It provides information on the usefulness of a system in converting energy from one form to another. Medical professionals are familiar with this technical definition but typically use the word as it is generally understood.