Discipline of Medical Radiation Science, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia.
Institute of Medical Imaging & Visualisation, Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK.
J Med Radiat Sci. 2021 Jun;68(2):111-120. doi: 10.1002/jmrs.462. Epub 2021 Feb 15.
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.
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.
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%).
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.
放射技师和放射治疗师是面向患者的关键医疗保健专业人员，在 COVID-19 大流行期间支持提供最佳患者护理。本研究旨在调查 COVID-19 对这些澳大利亚医疗保健专业人员的临床服务提供和福祉的影响。
2020 年 6 月至 7 月，对澳大利亚的放射技师和放射治疗师进行了横断面在线调查。该调查收集了人口统计学特征数据，以及 COVID-19 对专业实践、感染控制和工作场所相关压力的影响。
共收到 218 份回复。由于 COVID-19，工作时间（P<0.001）和工作量（P=0.022）发生了变化。诊断放射技师报告说，移动放射、计算机断层扫描和普通放射的程序压力增加了。对于放射治疗师，大部分压力包括模拟和直线加速器领域。大流行开始时个人防护设备供应短缺，在研究时，所有个人防护设备项目都存在短缺。诊断放射技师和放射治疗师报告的个人防护设备供应没有差异，除了洗手液（P=0.003）。由于 COVID-19，受访者在工作中经历了更高的个人压力（61.4%）和焦虑（58.2%）。此外，他们的工作给家人、伴侣或朋友带来了更大的压力（57.4%）。
COVID-19 导致临床工作模式和服务提供发生变化。个人防护设备短缺以及工作场所相关压力增加的问题已经出现。工作场所应通过提供充足的个人防护设备以确保安全实践，并实施支持和增强员工福祉的战略，寻求减轻大流行的影响。
