The Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on the Clinical Environment.

The Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board performed an impact survey on the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic to better assess the current state of nuclear medicine practice within the United States, as well as the perceptions and experiences of technologists working during the pandemic. Methods: A web-based automation platform was used to create, collect, and analyze the survey data. Results: The survey revealed many department protocol variations during the pandemic, a decrease in patient volume, and several other concerns and issues. Experiences regarding staffing and wage changes were varied. Conclusion: This research showed significant inconsistencies in practice and stresses to nuclear medicine technology during the pandemic, as well as concerns for the workforce pipeline. NMTCB decided to delay the JTA process and conduct additional research regarding the workforce.

Bullying in the Nuclear Medicine Department and During Clinical Nuclear Medicine Education.

Workplace bullying (WPB) in the medical field is a significant occupational hazard and health-care safety concern, though many cases go unreported. Often regarded as a rite of passage to desensitize and toughen new employees and students, WPB causes psychologic harm and creates an unsafe working environment resulting in health complications, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, and self-harm. Decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, high turnover rates, and inappropriate patient care are linked to WPB, perpetrating organizational dysfunction. This research study evaluated WPB (prevalence, frequency, and behaviors; associated characteristics; effects on patient care; and awareness and enforcement of antibullying protocols) in nuclear medicine (NM) departments and clinical education. Methods: A quantitative single-group correlational analysis was used to survey certified NM technologists and students in the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board e-mail database (n = 20,389). The highest response rate for any individual question was 836. Data were collected using the short version of the negative-acts questionnaire along with a researcher-created survey and analyzed using χ2 testing and central tendencies. Results: WPB existed in varying degrees (46.8%) within the previous 6 mo, predominantly in the form of being ignored, excluded, and subjected to repeated reminders of errors and having information affecting performance withheld. NM professionals are more likely to witness and experience WPB than students and are more likely to be bullied by a fellow technologist. Some characteristics, such as sex, age, and occupation, were statistically significant, whereas others, such as race, height, body type, experience, and education, showed no significant correlation. Attention to patient care decreased (39.6%) when WPB was present. An 8% variation exists between enforcement and nonenforcement of antibullying policies, with 26% of professionals being unaware of whether antibullying policies exist at their workplace. Conclusion: Explanations for underreported WPB include fear of retaliation, nonenforcement and lack of awareness of antibullying policies, organizational complacency, and perceived hierarchic power. Recommendations to minimize WPB include adopting and publicizing a descriptive definition, implementing antibullying policies, using mediation procedures, and imposing noncompliance penalties. A decrease in the incidence of WPB correlates with an increase in employee satisfaction and retention, patient safety, and student success.