The Responses of Radiology Professionals to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors : Türkan ÖZBAY, Özgül VUPA ÇİLENGİROĞLU

Pages : 712-721

Doi:10.30621/jbachs.992808

View : 41 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 2022-09-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Purpose: This study aimed to investigate radiology professionals’ response to the impact of COVID-19 on professional practice. In addition, the fear and anxiety levels experienced by this workforce during the pandemic process were investigated. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted. The questionnaire covered information on demographic characteristics, the Coronavirus Overviews and Impacts, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CAS);, and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Logistic regression was used to model the relationship between `CAS` and `Fear` scores and variables. Data collected was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(v.24);. Results: A total of 290 responses were received, comprising 21.7% radiologists and 78.3% technicians. The key contributor factors to work-related stress were found to be the fear of COVID-19 infection, with 63.8%, the increase in workload, with 17.6% and inadequate personal protective equipment insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PPE);, with 11%. The percentages of anxiety were 75.6% for technician and 24.4% for radiologist. It was found that there was a significant association between `CAS` score and the gender variable insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.030<0.05);, and similarly, between `Fear` score and gender insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p-value=0.003); and age insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p-value=0.080); variables. The women are 2.205 times more likely to be anxious than men insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.033); and 2.106 times more likely to be fear insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.003);. Conclusion: Almost half of the participants reported adequate PPE availability during the study period. Despite this, most feared being infected with COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to provide timely and adequate personnel training, adequate availability of PPE and regular psychosocial support for radiology professinals, during future pandemics.
Keywords : COVID 19, radiology professionals, anxiety, fear

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