Corner Siemert & Beit, University of Johannesburg, Department of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences, John Orr Building, 6th Floor Office 6304A, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa.
Corner Siemert & Beit, University of Johannesburg, Department of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences, John Orr Building, 6th Floor Office 6307, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa.
Radiography (Lond). 2021 May;27(2):346-351. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2020.09.009. Epub 2020 Sep 18.
As of July 2020, South Africa (SA) had the fifth highest number of COVID-19 infections in the world, with the greatest contributor of these infections, being the province of Gauteng. Diagnostic radiographers in Gauteng providing chest CT, chest radiograph and MRI services are frontline workers experiencing these unprecedented times. Therefore, this study undertook to explore diagnostic radiographers' experiences of COVID-19.
A qualitative approach using an asynchronous opened-ended online questionnaire was used to explore diagnostic radiographers' experiences of COVID-19. Responses from purposively sampled diagnostic radiographers in Gauteng SA, underwent thematic analysis.
Sixty diagnostic radiographers representing both the private and public health sector responded to the questionnaire. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: new work flow and operations, effect on radiographer well-being and radiographer resilience.
Besides experiencing a shift in their professional work routine and home/family dynamics, diagnostic radiographers' well-being has also been impacted by COVID-19. Adapting to the "new way of work" has been challenging yet their resilience and dedication to their profession, providing quality patient care and skill expertise is their arsenal to combat these challenges.
Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on diagnostic radiographers will allow radiology departments' management, hospital management, professional bodies and educational institutions to re-evaluate provision of resources, training, employee wellness programs as well as policies and procedures.
截至 2020 年 7 月，南非（SA）是世界上 COVID-19 感染人数第五高的国家，而这些感染病例的最大贡献者是豪登省。豪登省提供胸部 CT、胸部 X 光和 MRI 服务的诊断放射技师是正在经历这些前所未有的时期的一线工作人员。因此，本研究旨在探讨诊断放射技师对 COVID-19 的体验。
采用定性方法，使用异步开放式在线问卷来探索诊断放射技师对 COVID-19 的体验。对来自南非豪登省的有目的抽样的诊断放射技师的回复进行了主题分析。
代表公私保健部门的 60 名诊断放射技师对问卷做出了回应。主题分析揭示了三个主题：新的工作流程和运营、对放射技师福祉的影响以及放射技师的适应力。
除了经历专业工作流程和家庭/家庭动态的转变外，COVID-19 还影响了放射技师的福祉。适应“新工作方式”具有挑战性，但他们的适应力和对专业的奉献精神，为他们提供了高质量的患者护理和技能专业知识，是他们应对这些挑战的武器。
了解 COVID-19 对诊断放射技师的影响将使放射科部门的管理、医院管理、专业机构和教育机构重新评估资源、培训、员工健康计划以及政策和程序的提供。
