Coronavirus-related anxiety and fear among South African diagnostic radiographers working in the clinical setting during the pandemic

INTRODUCTION: The current coronavirus pandemic has impacted the healthcare sector significantly. Policies and practices had to be amended to ensure maximum safety for both patients and healthcare professionals, including radiographers. This led to negative impacts on the occupational wellbeing and mental health of radiographers. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to fill the gap in knowledge about coronavirus-related anxiety and fear among diagnostic radiographers across South Africa in order to inform policy and practice so as to mitigate the negative influence the coronavirus pandemic conditions has on the occupational wellbeing of diagnostic radiographers working on the frontline. METHODOLOGY: A quantitative, descriptive research design, using a cross-sectional approach, was employed. Two-hundred and forty-eight (n=248) South African diagnostic radiographers working in the clinical setting during the current coronavirus pandemic were recruited through social media. Data pertaining to their coronavirus-related anxiety and fear were collected through a digital questionnaire comprising three parts: demographics, coronavirus anxiety scale (CAS), and fear of coronavirus-19 scale (FCV-19S). RESULTS: Most of the participants’ coronavirus anxiety scale scores are indicative of probable dysfunctional anxiety (69.8%). The participants had higher levels of coronavirus-related fear compared to anxiety. Anxiety levels were dependent on biological sex. For all other demographic variables anxiety and fear levels were independent. CONCLUSION: Support strategies should be implemented to mitigate the negative impacts of a pandemic such as the coronavirus pandemic on the occupational wellbeing and mental health of diagnostic radiographers. More research in this area is recommended to inform future policy and workforce development as well as practice amendments.