ISRRT_COVID-19_book
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also caused great concern. This led many family members to frequently disinfect spaces and<br />
objects, causing irritation and fatigue at the same time 4-6 .<br />
Also, the fear of transmitting the virus to the elderly led to their estrangement from younger<br />
ones in the family. Thus, grandparents were estranged for a long time from their children and<br />
grandchildren, which led these age groups to social exclusion.<br />
Dealing with those family members infected with <strong>COVID</strong>‐<strong>19</strong> while trying to stay healthy as<br />
healthcare worker<br />
Although radiographers/RTs, such as all HCPs have been forced to live in terms of isolation<br />
from their own family, many of them have had to deal with one or more patients in their family<br />
circle. The combinations are many, one or more family members who got slightly sick and<br />
recovered in home isolation. One or more members, who got seriously sick and needed<br />
hospital treatment resulting in recovery or death, as well as a combination of the above cases.<br />
In any case the radiographer/RT is called upon to manage a series of events, which are as<br />
follows:<br />
• The anxiety and fear of the disease for the sick relative.<br />
• The uncertainty whether he/she transmitted the virus himself/herself or was infected<br />
by a relative.<br />
• The management of a family member loss due to <strong>COVID</strong>‐<strong>19</strong>.<br />
• Maintaining and controlling his/her good health and well‐being, to fulfill professional<br />
duties and not to transmit the virus to patients.<br />
• The management of physical and mental fatigue from the home care of a relative with<br />
<strong>COVID</strong>‐<strong>19</strong> in combination with occupational, physical and mental fatigue.<br />
Family support to infected healthcare workers<br />
A significant and crucial matter is the support of the family to the HCP. Whether these persons<br />
stay isolated from the rest family due to infection control precautions or got infected, physical<br />
distance can cause distress to the family 7 . Strategies for the family to support the HCP are<br />
the following:<br />
• Everyone needs to know that distress is logical reaction to these circumstances and is<br />
a temporary condition.<br />
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