Download PDF
Rofo 2022; 194(01): 70-82
DOI: 10.1055/a-1586-3278
Health Policy and Evidence Based Medicine

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Radiology in Inpatient and Outpatient Care in Germany: A Nationwide Survey Regarding the First and Second Wave

Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die radiologische Versorgung im stationären und ambulanten Bereich in Deutschland: Eine bundesweite Umfrage bezüglich der ersten und zweiten Welle
Simon Bernatz 
1   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
,
Saif Afat
2   Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Tübingen, Germany
,
Ahmed E. Othman
2   Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Tübingen, Germany
,
Konstantin Nikolaou
2   Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Tübingen, Germany
,
Malte Sieren
3   Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Marwin-Jonathan Sähn 
4   Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Aachen, Germany
,
Daniel Pinto dos Santos 
5   Department of Radiology, University Hospital Cologne, Germany
,
Tobias Penzkofer
6   Department of Radiology, Charité Medical Faculty Berlin, Germany
,
Andreas Michael Bucher
1   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
,
Bernd Hamm
6   Department of Radiology, Charité Medical Faculty Berlin, Germany
,
Thomas J. Vogl
1   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
,
Boris Bodelle
1   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
,
RACOON Consortium
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
Also available at
   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Objectives To find out the opinion of radiological inpatient and outpatient medical staff regarding the measures taken in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic during the first and second waves and to identify the measures that are still perceived as needing improvement.

Materials and Methods We conducted an anonymous online survey among more than 10 000 radiologists/technicians in Germany from January 5 to January 31, 2021. A total of 862 responses (head physicians, n = 225 [inpatient doctors, n = 138; outpatient doctors, n = 84; N/A, n = 3]; radiologic personnel, n = 637 [inpatient doctor, n = 303; outpatient doctor, n = 50; inpatient technician, n = 217; outpatient technician, n = 26; N/A, n = 41]) were received. Questions of approximation, yes/no questions, and Likert scales were used.

Results During the first/second wave, 70 % (86/123)/43 % (45/104) of inpatient and 26 % (17/66)/10 % (5/52) of outpatient head physicians agreed that they received financial support from the authorities but the majority rated the financial support as insufficient. During the first and second wave, 33 % (8/24) and 80 % (16/20) of outpatient technicians agreed that they were adequately provided with personal protective equipment. The perceived lack of personal protective equipment improved for all participants during the second wave. Inpatient [outpatient] technicians perceived an increased workload in the first and second wave: 72 % (142/198) [79 % (19/24)] and 84 % (146/174) [80 % (16/20)]. Conclusion: Technicians seem increasingly negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Financial support by the competent authorities seems to be in need of improvement.

Key Points: 

  • The accessibility of personal protective equipment resources improved in the second wave.

  • In particular, radiology technicians seem increasingly negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Financial and consulting support from the government could be improved.

Citation Format

  • Bernatz S, Afat S, Othman AE et al. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Radiology in Inpatient and Outpatient Care in Germany: A Nationwide Survey Regarding the First and Second Wave. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 70 – 82

Zusammenfassung

Zielsetzung Das Ziel war, die Meinungen des stationären und ambulanten medizinisch-radiologischen Personals zu den Maßnahmen zu ermitteln, die im Zusammenhang mit der COVID-19-Pandemie während der ersten und zweiten Welle ergriffen wurden. Zusätzlich sollten die Maßnahmen identifiziert werden, die noch als verbesserungsbedürftig angesehen werden.

Materialien und Methoden Wir führten eine anonyme, onlinebasierte Umfrage unter mehr als 10 000 Radiolog/innen und medizinisch-technischen Radiologieassistent/innen (MTRA) in Deutschland vom 5.-31. Januar 2021 durch. Insgesamt erhielten wir 862 Antworten (Chefärzt/innen n = 225 (stationär tätige Ärzt/innen n = 138, ambulant tätige Ärzt/innen n = 84, N/A n = 3); radiologisches Personal n = 637 (stationär tätige Ärzt/innen n = 303, ambulant tätige Ärzt/innen n = 50, stationär tätige MTRA n = 217, ambulant tätige MTRA n = 26, N/A n = 41)). Es wurden Schätzfragen, Ja/Nein-Fragen und Likert-ähnliche Skalen verwendet.

Ergebnisse Während der ersten/zweiten Welle stimmten 70 % (86/123)/43 % (45/104) der stationären und 26 % (17/66)/10 % (5/52) der ambulanten Chefärzt/innen zu, finanzielle Unterstützung von den Behörden erhalten zu haben, aber die Mehrheit bewertete die finanzielle Unterstützung als nicht ausreichend. Während der ersten und zweiten Welle stimmten 33 % (8/24) und 80 % (16/20) der ambulanten MTRA zu, dass sie ausreichend mit persönlicher Schutzausrüstung ausgestattet wurden. Der wahrgenommene Mangel an persönlicher Schutzausrüstung verbesserte sich bei allen Teilnehmern während der zweiten Welle. Stationäre/ambulante MTRA empfanden in der ersten und zweiten Welle eine erhöhte Arbeitsbelastung: 72 % (142/198)/79 % (19/24) und 84 % (146/174)/80 % (16/20).

Zusammenfassung MTRA scheinen von der COVID-19-Pandemie in Deutschland zunehmend negativ betroffen zu sein. Die finanzielle Unterstützung durch die zuständigen Behörden scheint verbesserungsbedürftig zu sein.

Kernaussagen: 

  • Die Verfügbarkeit von persönlicher Schutzausrüstung hat sich in der zweiten Welle verbessert.

  • Insbesondere MTAs scheinen zunehmend negativ von der COVID-19-Pandemie betroffen zu sein.

  • Die finanzielle und beratende Unterstützung durch die Regierung könnte verbessert werden.

Key words

COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2 - outpatients - inpatients - surveys and questionnaires

Supplement



Publication History

Received: 19 May 2021

Accepted: 13 July 2021

Article published online:
14 October 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

  • References

  • 1 World Health Organization. COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update. World Heal Organ; 2021: 1-25
    Google Scholar
  • 2 Dong E, Du H, Gardner L. An interactive web-based dashboard to track COVID-19 in real time. Lancet Infect Dis 2020; 20: 533-534
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University; JHU CSSE COVID-19 Data. https://github.com/CSSEGISandData/COVID-19 ; accessed 29th june 2021
    Google Scholar
  • 4 Kanne JP, Little BP, Chung JH. et al. Essentials for radiologists on COVID-19: An update-radiology scientific expert panel. Radiology 2020; 296: E113-E114
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Fang Y, Zhang H, Xie J. et al. Senivity of Chest CT for COVID.19: Comparasion to RT-PCR. Radiology 2020; 296: E115-E117
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Ai T, Yang Z, Hou H. et al. Correlation of Chest CT and RT-PCR Testing for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China: A Report of 1014 Cases. Radiology 2020; 296: E32-E40
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Bernheim A, Mei X, Huang M. et al. Chest CT findings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Radiology 2020; 295: 685-691
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Feldt T, Guggemos W, Heim K. et al. Hinweise zu Erkennung, Diagnostik und Therapie von Patienten mit COVID-19. Ständiger Arbeitskr. Der Kompetenz- Und Behandlungszentren Für Krankheiten Durch Hochpathogene Erreger Am Robert-Koch-Institut. 2021: 1-25
    Google Scholar
  • 9 Chandy PE, Umer Nasir M, Srinivasan S. et al. Interventional radiology and COVID-19: evidence-based measures to limit transmission. Diagnostic Interv Radiol 2020; 26: 236-240
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Akyurt N. Knowledge, practice and emotional status related to COVID-19 pandemic among radiology technicians working at pandemic hospitals. Eur J Radiol 2020; 134: 109431
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Mossa-Basha M, Schnall M, Meltzer C. et al. Special Report of the RSNA COVID-19 Task Force: Crisis Leadership of Major Health System Radiology Departments During COVID-19. Radiology 2021; 299: E187-E192
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Dizdarevic S, Abdulla M, Sewedy T. et al. Impact of COVID-19 on nuclear medicine in the UK. Nucl Med Commun 2021; 42: 138-149
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Cavallo JJ, Forman HP. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiology practices. Radiology 2020; 296: E141-E144
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Sharpe RE, Kuszyk BS, Mossa-Basha M. Special Report of the RSNA COVID-19 Task Force: The Short- and Long-term Financial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Private Radiology Practices. Radiology 2021; 298: E11-E18
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Larocque N, Shenoy-Bhangle A, Brook A. et al. Resident Experiences With Virtual Radiology Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Acad Radiol 2021; 28: 704-710
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Alhasan AS, Alahmadi SM, Altayeb YA. et al. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Training and Well-Being in Radiology Residency: A National Survey of Diagnostic Radiology Trainees in Saudi Arabia. Acad Radiol 2021; 28: 1002-1009
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 R Core Team (2021). R: A language and environment for statistical computing. Vienna, Austria: R Foundation for Statistical Computing. http://www.R-project.org/
    Google Scholar
  • 18 RStudio Team (2020). RStudio: Integrated Development for R. RStudio, PBC, Boston, MA. http://www.rstudio.com/
    Google Scholar
  • 19 Bundesärztekammer, Statisitk der BÄK SB. Ärztestatistik zum 31. Dezember 2019. 2019
    Google Scholar
  • 20 Müller-Rawlins E. Fachkräftemangel MTA; Januar 2019. Stat. Bundesagentur Für Arbeit, Branchenmonitoring, Rheinland-Pfalz 2017, Minist. Für Soziales, Arbeit, Gesundh. Und Demogr. DVA, Dachverband Für Technol. Und Anal. Der Medizin Deutschl. e. V. n. d..
    Google Scholar
  • 21 Tan BP, Lim KC, Goh YG. et al. Radiology Preparedness in the Ongoing Battle against COVID-19: Experiences from Large to Small Public Hospitals in Singapore. Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging 2020; 2: e200140
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Boettcher AN, Hammoud DA, Weinberg JB. et al. Cancer Imaging and Patient Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Radiol Imaging Cancer 2020; 2: e200058
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Feng S, Shen C, Xia N. et al. Rational use of face masks in the COVID-19 pandemic. Lancet Respir Med 2020; 8: 434-436
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Guo ZD, Wang ZY, Zhang SF. et al. Aerosol and Surface Distribution of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Hospital Wards, Wuhan, China, 2020. Indoor Built Environ 2020; 26: 1586-1591
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Chu DK, Akl EA, Duda S. et al. Physical distancing, face masks, and eye protection to prevent person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet 2020; 395: 1973-1987
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Zhao Y, Xiang C, Wang S. et al. Radiology department strategies to protect radiologic technologists against COVID19: Experience from Wuhan. Eur J Radiol J 2020; 127: 108996
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Wouters OJ, Shadlen KC, Salcher-Konrad M. et al. Challenges in ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines: production, affordability, allocation, and deployment. Lancet 2021; 6736: 1-12
    PubMedGoogle Scholar