A Pathway to Sustainable Health During COVID-19 Pandemic: Digital Health Services

In this paper, we aim to examine the effect of health information orientation on attitudes toward using digital health services and explore the mediating role of e-health literacy in this relationship. We also tested the impact of attitudes toward using digital health services on digital health service use intention. We collected data through an online survey method. A total of 520 respondents participated, and data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results showed that people who are health information oriented and capable of finding and utilizing e-health information have positive attitudes and intention toward using digital health service. Variables in the model explain 60% of the variance in digital health service use intention. This study confirmed the partial mediating role of e-health literacy on the relationship between health information orientation and attitudes toward using digital health services. Future research is needed to explore whether these relationships are confirmed in a specific health context. Furthermore, comparing the digital health service usage attitudes and intentions of people who have and do not have chronic illnesses can also be insightful. Cross-cultural comparisons may also add to the knowledge related to the adoption of digital health services. We conducted this study during the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey and explored the digital health service use intention partly within the Theory of Reasoned Action framework. We have also tried to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals with our research results. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health and work morale of radiographers within a conventional X-ray department.

INTRODUCTION: There is a plethora of literature that has described the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare staff worldwide. Our aim was to investigate the physical and mental demands of mobile x-ray imaging on radiographers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, within a local NHS Trust. METHODS: A total of 16 participants from 1 NHS Trust took part within this study. Both quantitative and qualitative data was obtained through an online survey. Statistical data was obtained via the Trust Radiology Information System (RIS). Data was gathered for the thirteen weeks from 23rd March to 21st June 2020 (the first wave); direct comparison was made to the same period in 2019. RESULTS: Three key themes emerged from the data. These include mental health challenges/work morale in Radiology, demand of mobile imaging and departmental and Trust-wide mental health support. Results indicate a high demand in mobile imaging which has made a significant difference in the working life of some radiographers. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the mental health of a proportion of radiographers at this Trust. Results indicate high workload and demand in mobile imaging has made a significant difference to the working life of radiographers, specifically the ones who were relatively newly qualified. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Two key interventions are proposed from this study. The first one is to provide and promote mental health support within radiology departments. The second is to encourage dual working on mobile x-ray examinations to help manage the emotional and physical burden.