Australian radiographers' and radiation therapists' experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic

• Published in: Journal of medical radiation sciences Vol. 68; no. 2; pp. 111 - 120
• Main Authors: Shanahan, Madeleine C, Akudjedu, Theophilus N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.06.2021; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Adult; Australia; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - psychology; Demographics; Disease transmission; Female; Humans; Male; Medical supplies; Middle Aged; Original; pandemic; Pandemics; Personal protective equipment; Personal Protective Equipment - supply & distribution; Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; PPE; Professional practice; Public health; Questionnaires; radiation therapist; Radiation therapy; radiographer; Radiography; Radiologists - psychology; stress; Stress, Psychological - epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Therapists; Working hours; Workloads; Australia; United Kingdom > UK; COVID-19; stress; PPE; pandemic; radiographer; radiation therapist
• ISSN: 2051-3895; 2051-3909
• DOI: 10.1002/jmrs.462

Introduction Radiographers and radiation therapists are key patient‐facing health practitioners supporting the delivery of optimal patient care during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of COVID‐19 on clinical service delivery and well‐being of these healthcare professionals in Australia. Methods A cross‐sectional online survey of Australian radiographers and radiation therapists was conducted in June–July 2020. The survey collected data on demographic characteristics, and the impact of COVID‐19 on professional practice, infection control and workplace‐related stress. Results A total of 218 responses were received. Changes in work hours (P < 0.001) and workload (P = 0.022) were experienced due to COVID‐19. Diagnostic radiographers reported increased procedural pressure on mobile radiography, computed tomography and general radiography. For radiation therapists, most pressure included areas of simulation and linear accelerator. PPE was in short supply at the start of the pandemic, and at the time of the study, shortages were identified for all PPE items. There was no difference in PPE supply reported by diagnostic radiographers and radiation therapists except for hand sanitiser (P = 0.003). Respondents experienced increased personal stress (61.4%) and anxiety (58.2%) at work due to COVID‐19. In addition, their work caused increased stress to their family, partners or friends (57.4%). Conclusions COVID‐19 has resulted in changes to clinical working patterns and service delivery. PPE shortages, as well as increased workplace‐related stress, were identified. Workplaces should seek to mitigate the pandemic impact through the provision of adequate PPE for safe practice as well as implement strategies to support and enhance staff well‐being. Diagnostic radiographers and radiation therapists are ranked as high risk of contracting COVID‐19. In these professional groups where physical distancing is also problematic due to the nature of their work, adequate provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to decrease the risk of contracting COVID‐19. This study identified PPE was in short supply for all examined PPE items.