Impact on mental health of the COVID-19 pandemic in a radiation oncology department

Radiol Med. 2022 Feb;127(2):220-224. doi: 10.1007/s11547-021-01440-x. Epub 2022 Jan 16.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the emotional state and organizational well-being of healthcare workers in radiation oncology departments, during the COVID pandemic.

Methods: A survey was carried out with three questionnaires: Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R); Italian ANAC questionnaire; and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Comparisons between groups were done by Student's t test.

Results: Seventy-eight questionnaires for 26 workers were analyzed. Thirty-three percent of the sample obtained an IES-R high score, such as post-traumatic syndrome. In terms of organizational well-being, younger age and lower working seniority were statistically significant for higher score of ANAC items (p < 0.5). Regarding MBI, 0, 27 and 50% high scores of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment were reported, respectively. Low working seniority and male sex were correlated with high score of personal accomplishment (p:0.05; p:0.03).

Conclusion: Intervention to promote mental health well-being should be implemented in radiation oncology department.

Keywords: Burnout; COVID; Radiotherapy; Stress.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Burnout, Professional / psychology*
  • COVID-19 / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pandemics*
  • Radiation Oncologists / psychology*
  • Radiation Oncology*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Surveys and Questionnaires