Impact on mental health of the COVID-19 pandemic in a radiation oncology department
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Keywords
Radiotherapy, COVID, Burnout, Stress
Abstract
This study aims to assess the emotional well-being and organizational health of healthcare professionals working in radiation oncology departments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methodology: We conducted a survey using three questionnaires: the Impact of Event Scale—Revised (IES-R), the Italian ANAC questionnaire, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Statistical comparisons between groups were performed using Student’s t-test.
Results: We analyzed seventy-eight questionnaires from twenty-six healthcare workers. Thirty-three percent of respondents scored high on the IES-R, indicating symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Younger age and lower seniority were associated with higher ANAC scores (p < 0.5), reflecting poorer organizational well-being. Regarding the MBI, 27% of participants reported high levels of emotional exhaustion, 50% reported high depersonalization, and 27% reported low personal accomplishment. Lower seniority and male gender were linked to higher scores in personal accomplishment (p:0.05; p:0.03).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest a need for interventions to enhance mental health and well-being among healthcare professionals in radiation oncology departments during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
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