Lived experiences of radiology caregivers during a health crisis: A COVID-19 case analysis

Health SA Gesondheid

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Lived experiences of radiology caregivers during a health crisis: A COVID-19 case analysis
 
Creator Hundah, Shillah N. Sibiya, Maureen N. Khoza, Thandokuhle E.
 
Subject Health Sciences; Radiology, Radiography; Radiology Nursing; Medical Imaging health crisis; COVID-19; frontline radiology caregivers; radiographers; radiologists; experiences; challenges; eThekwini
Description Background: Health crises have been linked with the exacerbation of pre-existing difficulties and the emergence of unique challenges, as evidenced by the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on health caregivers worldwide. Baseline data allow for reflection and preparation for any future health emergencies therefore giving impetus to phenomenological enquiries among the experiencers.Aim: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of the eThekwini district frontline radiology caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.Setting: The study was conducted in public and private radiology departments in the eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Methods: A qualitative, interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology was adopted in a multi-method data-collection context comprising semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) among 24 radiologists, radiographers, and radiology nurses obtained by non-probability sampling. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach.Results: Three superordinate themes emerged, namely: (1) duties and roles during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) work-related challenges, (3) personal challenges.Conclusion: Frontline radiology caregivers experienced increased workload, staff shortages, salary cuts, personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages, non-recognition, poor managerial support, disrupted social relations, and poor work–life balance. This necessitates the need for the radiology departments to address staffing, infection prevention and control deficits, and invest in support interventions to assist frontline radiology caregivers during health crises.Contribution: The findings comprise baseline information that can be used for reflection and guiding radiology departments in preparing for any future health crises. 
 
Publisher AOSIS Publishing
 
Contributor
Date 2024-07-08
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Qualitative research
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/hsag.v29i0.2532
 
Source Health SA Gesondheid; Vol 29 (2024); 9 pages 2071-9736 1025-9848
 
Language eng
 
Relation
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Coverage eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 2019-to date Age; Gender; Profession; Years of experience; Working Environment
Rights Copyright (c) 2024 Shillah N. Hundah, Maureen N. Sibiya, Thandokuhle E. Khoza https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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