The initial impact of COVID-19 on Australasian sonographers part 3: Sonographer professional, personal, and social wellbeing.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The wellbeing of front-line healthcare workers can be impacted during a pandemic. This paper reports the initial impact on the wellbeing of COVID-19 on Australasian sonographers. METHODS: An online qualitative and quantitative survey was conducted between March and June 2020 to explore the wellbeing of Australasian sonographers in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Whilst most sonographers felt supported at work (300/379), those working in public hospitals felt more so than those in private practice. Sonographers in private practice felt more as though their job was at risk and were more likely to consider an alternate source of income. Sonographers felt they were working on the front line and many felt anxious about themselves (74%) or family (78%) contracting COVID-19 due to their employment. Forty-one percent of sonographers felt more isolated than normal, with younger age groups (18-34 years) feeling less like they had enough hobbies or selfcare activities to get them through. Twelve percent of sonographers reported never, or rarely, coping with the juggle of work and home life. CONCLUSION: The initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of sonographers is evident. Longitudinal data will enable wellbeing to be tracked over time.