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

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 emergen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Health SA = SA Gesondheid Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 2532 - 9
Main Authors:	Hundah, Shillah N, Sibiya, Maureen N, Khoza, Thandokuhle E
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	South Africa African Online Scientific Information Systems (Pty) Ltd t/a AOSIS 2024 AOSIS (Pty) Ltd AOSIS AOSIS Publishing on behalf of University of Johannesburg
Subjects:	Caregivers challenges Community service Coronaviruses COVID-19 Departments Disease transmission Epidemics ethekwini experiences frontline radiology caregivers Health aspects Health Care Sciences & Services health crisis Health Policy & Services Interviews Medical imaging equipment Medical personnel Nosocomial infections Nurses Original Research Pandemics Personal protective equipment radiographers radiologists Radiology Radiology, Medical Severe acute respiratory syndrome Social aspects South Africa South Africa KwaZulu-Natal Province South Africa COVID-19 eThekwini challenges frontline radiology caregivers health crisis radiographers experiences radiologists
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Summary:	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. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of the eThekwini district frontline radiology caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted in public and private radiology departments in the eThekwini district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 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. Three superordinate themes emerged, namely: (1) duties and roles during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) work-related challenges, (3) personal challenges. 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. The findings comprise baseline information that can be used for reflection and guiding radiology departments in preparing for any future health crises.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	1025-9848 2071-9736 2071-9736
DOI:	10.4102/hsag.v29i0.2532