Occupational stress among diagnostic radiographers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Namibian perspective

Abstract

Background: During the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many professionals had to work from home and maintain physical distancing as a measure to reduce exposure and risk of infection to the virus. Diagnostic radiographers were among the essential health care professionals (HCPs) who had to continue working to help fight this disease. Being considered essential HCPs made diagnostic radiographers vulnerable, not only to the most feared pandemic of the current generation but also hypothetically intensifying their occupational stress. The objectives of this study were: to observe Namibian radiographers’ occupational stress and stressors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; to ascertain their coping strategies used to manage their occupational stress; and to identify and describe workplace interventions that can be used to mitigate the effects of occupational stress during future pandemics. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional and descriptive study design was used. An electronic questionnaire created with Google Forms software was distributed among diagnostic radiographers employed in both Namibian public hospitals and private radiology practices. Sampling was done among and based on the whole population of 207 diagnostic radiographers in Namibia using a purposive non-probability sampling technique. Data collected included demographic characteristics, perceived causes of COVID-19-related occupational stress, radiographers’ coping strategies, workplace mitigating interventions and general suggestions on how to mitigate stress among diagnostic radiographers during future pandemics. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences statistics for Windows, Version 26 was used for statistical analysis of recorded data. Results: A total of 90 diagnostic radiographers participated in the study of whom 83.7% were female and 16.3% were male. Out of the total respondents, 26.4% were radiographers in managerial roles. Increased workload and fear of both contracting and spreading the infection were reported as the key contributors to the COVID-19 occupational-related stressors. The coping strategies used by respondents were spending quality time and talking to friends or a family member, developing hobbies as well as meditating and getting involved in spiritual and religious activities. Respondents cited the introduction of incentives, social networking and provision of psychological support as the best intervention that could be used to mitigate the effects of stress on radiographers during future or similar pandemics. Conclusion: This study reveals the presence of COVID-19-related occupational stress among diagnostic radiographers in Namibia during the pandemic. Coping mechanisms such as spending quality time with family and friends were identified as effective strategies to manage this stress. These findings emphasise the importance of developing contingency mitigation plans for radiology departments to address occupational stress during uncertain periods like the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Moving forward, it is essential for radiographers and healthcare managers to continually reflect on their COVID-19 experiences and lessons learned to better prepare for future pandemics. While the study's limited response rate restricts the generalisability of the findings to all Namibian radiographers, the insights provided can serve as a foundation for further research in this area.