ISRRT_COVID-19_book

esearch has been undertaken to understand the impact stress is having on our highly
pressurised workforce compared to Nursing 2 . Considering that radiographers are responsible
for the delivery of patient care and ensuring patient safety, increased stress, and pressure no
doubt decreases the ability of radiographers to deliver these essential skills. These pressures
do need to be addressed. COVID-19 has quickly taught us how to think how services are
delivered, how we can provide the highest standards of care and work and perform at a high
level. The pandemic has changed the process as to how we now must manage our throughput,
manage expectations from other teams as well as look after our fellow members of staff in a
highly pressurised environment on a tight budget.
COVID-19 has suddenly caused the radiography profession to reflect and how to look after
themselves, maintain a healthy work/life balance and more importantly monitor the impact
that high workload can have in terms of radiographer’s mental health. When we consider the
increased working hours that are placed on our fellow radiographers this takes us to a level
where staff soon feel the effects of physical and mental exhaustion. Symptoms often regarded
as shift work disorder. We are already aware of staff complaining of mild to moderate anxiety.
Patients will soon perceive us to be less effective and less caring. In terms of Radiographers
themselves, anxiety and stress could cause events such as patient registration errors, patients
undergoing the wrong type of scan etc.
COVID-19 has changed the way we work. The use of mobile Chest x-rays and CT imaging i.e.,
Pulmonary CT angiograms have become to primary imaging for COVID-19 3 . Additional
imaging needs to be provided for secondary conditions to COVID-19 patients which has added
to the pressure of non-acute work to our imaging departments. Radiographic practice has
changed considerably as radiographers now have to consider social distancing and the
constant use of PPE not just within the radiology department but throughout the hospital
particularly in theatre and Intensive Treatment Units (ITU). Changes in working patterns –
more out of hours staff are required to back fill staff who require more time to don and doff
PPE when carrying out mobile radiography. Also, those staff who have been impacted by
COVID-19 themselves i.e., shielding or dealing with friends and family contracting COVID-19
caused a detrimental effect on staff numbers and staff wellbeing. It is without doubt that
Radiographers have become greatly aware of the importance of infection control and the
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