Christ SM, Denner M, Andratschke N, Balermpas P, Hilty B, Tanadini-Lang S, Wilke L, Perryck S, Guckenberger M. Prospective assessment of stress and health concerns of radiation oncology staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2022;
35:110-117. [PMID:
35698627 PMCID:
PMC9176183 DOI:
10.1016/j.ctro.2022.06.001]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic required continuous adjustment of radiotherapy practice.
Global stress levels and health concerns of staff followed COVID-19 infection waves.
Frontline workers with direct patient contact were most affected by the pandemic.
Beyond COVID-19, weekly regular online surveys can help to monitor staff well-being.
Introduction and background
The COVID-19 pandemic has required rapid and repetitive adjustment of radiotherapy practice, hospital-level and department-level organization and hygiene measures. To prospectively monitor and manage stress levels and health concerns, employees of a radiation oncology department were invited to participate in weekly online surveys during the first year of the pandemic.
Materials and methods
Starting March 31st, 2020, cross-sectional online surveys were distributed to all employees of the Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich. The survey included questions about the profession, the work setting, the global stress level as well as the health concerns during the past work week. Stress levels and health concerns were assessed on a 10-point scale. SurveyMonkey® was used to conduct the survey. Distribution was performed via email. Participation was anonymous and voluntary.
Results
Between March 2020 and February 2021, 50 weekly surveys were distributed to 127 employees on average and resulted in 1,877 individual responses. The average response rate was 30%. The mean global stress level varied significantly by profession, ranging from 2.7 (±2.5) points for administrative staff to 6.9 (±2.3) points for radiation therapy technicians (p < 0.001). The mean global stress level was highest with 4.8 (±2.9) points for in-hospital work with direct patient contact. Health concerns were highest regarding family and friends with 4.0 (±3.1) points on average. Changes of the stress level varied in correlation with infection waves.
Conclusion
Weekly online surveys for prospective assessment of stress levels and health concerns were successfully conducted during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating their feasibility and value to monitor profession and workplace specific stress patterns and to allowed for tailored interventions. The physical and mental health of frontline healthcare workers in radiation oncology should remain a top priority for departmental leadership beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
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