An evaluation of the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic on interventional radiographers' wellbeing

Using the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping to Explore Coping Strategies Adopted by Radiology Health Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“…Studies conducted to measure coronavirus stress levels have shown a significant difference between pre COVID-19 and post COVID-19 levels; thereby, corroborating phenomenological findings reporting that COVID-19 and its sequels had a tremendous impact on healthcare workers' 2 mental well-being which has a prolonged history of occupational stress [5][6][7][8][9]. Considering the nature of health caregivers' roles, the consequences of work-related stress cannot be overemphasised as incorrect radiological diagnosis, increased accidental or unintended radiation exposures, incorrect patient identification and increased medical litigations have been linked with poor mental wellbeing among radiology healthcare professionals [10][11].…”

“…Globally, several radiology departments faced shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), staff shortages, increased workloads, ever-evolving imaging requirements and rapid adaptation to new protocols. Moreover, in other radiology departments including those within KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, loss of income within the private sector, poor work-life balance, faulty equipment, and lack of managerial support exacerbated the challenges [4][5][6][7][8].…”

Leadership and resilience in adversity: The impact of COVID-19 on radiography researchers and ways forward

“…Diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers, working often on the frontline, have been greatly impacted since the start of the pandemic. They continued to provide high-quality clinical services despite experiencing staffing shortages from staff sickness, increased risk of infections, limited resources, ongoing physical and mental stress 11 , increased levels of anxiety 12 , social distancing, and occupational burnout 13 , 14 . Moreover, the pandemic has disrupted academic provision 15 and radiography education in many countries 16 , with recent research acknowledging the negative impact on undergraduate diagnostic radiography students for clinical placements and the delivery of theoretical lessons, which largely turned online or assumed a hybrid format 17 .…”

“…Diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers, working often on the frontline, have been greatly impacted since the start of the pandemic. They continued to provide highquality clinical services despite experiencing staffing shortages from staff sickness, increased risk of infections, limited resources, ongoing physical and mental stress 11 , increased levels of anxiety 12 , social distancing, and occupational burnout 13,14 .…”

The legacy of COVID-19 for radiography practice, education, and research: How to use lessons learned to navigate the “new normal”?

“…After such a prolonged period of increased workload under challenging circumstances, often without the necessary resourcing or staffing levels, while frequently witnessing serious illness or death of colleagues, friends and close family, occupational burnout, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been rife among healthcare professionals. 9 , 10 At the peak of the pandemic, where demand for healthcare resources could not meet supply, difficult decisions had to be made; healthcare professionals, including radiographers, were immersed in challenging situations, trying to balance between often conflicting or constantly changing patient safety guidelines and patient care principles. They realised that very often, despite the quality of care they aspired to provide, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, they could not offer the human touch to their patients when they mostly needed it and this has led to moral injury among healthcare workers.…”