THE EXPERIENCES OF RADIOGARPHERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND DURINGTHE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

ABSTRACT

Radiographic imaging procedures are necessary for the diagnosis and evaluation of many patients. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Diagnostic Radiographers as front-line workers have been in direct contact with infected patients. The aim of this study was to investigate and describe the experiences of radiographers working in the Republic of Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic. Clinical and academic radiographers across Ireland were invited to submit a reflection on their experiences during the pandemic in any form preferred to fully express themselves. All participants gave their explicit written consent to take part in this study and could optionally include their submissions in the UCD archives. The data was thematically analysed to identify and interpret the emerging themes. Three themes emerged following coding and organizing the data. 1) Importance of community and employer support participants reflected they felt unsupported and unrecognised for their efforts. 2) Lifestyle and work changes participants were personally and professionally affected facing changes in cultural practices, PPE issues, emotional strain, increased radiographic procedures, and online lectures. 3) Radiographer strength and motivation in the data acquired it was evident that during the pandemic participants were resilient, and motivated. The outcomes of this study are a useful resource revealing the deep insights of the experiences of radiographers working throughout Ireland during this unprecedented pandemic. These results will help determine and overcome the different challenges posed by the pandemic. In the longer term this study will preserve the accounts of radiographers for posterity.