Search

Introduction Radiation therapy technologists (RTTs) are exposed to high stress levels which may lead to burnout, which could be further increased by the current pandemic. The aim of our study was to assess burnout and stress among Italian RTTs before and during the pandemic. Methods The Italian Association of Radiation Therapy and Medical Physics Technologists (AITRO) and the Italian Federation of Scientific Radiographers Societies (FASTeR) proposed a national online survey, including the Maslach Burnout Inventory assessing emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalisation (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA) to RTTs before and during the pandemic. Multivariate regression analyses and χ2 tests were used for data analysis. Results We obtained 367 answers, 246 before and 121 during the pandemic. RTTs before and during the pandemic showed high EE and DP, intermediate PA. Median EE was 37 (interquartile range [IQR] 31–46] before and 37 (IQR 30–43) during the pandemic, median DP was 16 (IQR 13–21) and 15 (IQR 12–20), respectively. PA was 31 (IQR 28–34) and 32 (IQR 28–34), respectively. Through multivariate analysis, being female and having children led to higher EE scores before and during the pandemic (p≤0.026). Only the presence of workplace stress management courses was related to lower DP before and being female was related to higher DP during the pandemic (p

Introduction Our aim was to investigate the means radiographers and radiographers in training (RTrs) use to seek information on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) physics and technical issues. Methods An estimated 3000 radiographers and RTrs were reached by e-mail. We proposed an online survey with eight English-language multiple choice questions investigating how often radiographers have doubts about MRI physics or technical issues, where and what kind of information they search for, and on which websites. The statistical χ2 test was used. Results We obtained 300 answers from European professionals (228 radiographers, 72 RTrs) from 9 European countries, with 288 of 300 (96%) responses coming from Italy. Within the Italian respondents, 41% of RTrs have doubts about MRI physics versus 56% of radiographers (p = 0.028). Basic MRI sequences details are more searched by RTrs (36%) than radiographers (22%) (p = 0.088), as well as clinical protocols (64% versus 44%, p = 0.054). Radiographers and RTrs mostly search on the Internet (74% versus 81%, p = 0.404); “older colleagues” are more frequently asked for information by RTrs (27% versus 61%, p = 0.001), they consult the “MRI manufacturer” less frequently (11% versus 34%, p = 0.001); and 66% of radiographers and 72% of RTrs search “in mother-language and English” (p = 0.590). For clinical protocols RTrs prefer the website mriquestions.com (17% versus 44%, p = 0.001). Websites most used were: mriquestions.com (41%), radiopaedia.org (31%), and mrimaster.com (13%). In addition, 30 respondents mentioned using the Italian site fermononrespiri.com. Conclusion Italian radiographers and RTrs frequently search for information about MRI physics and technical issues, with slight differences between groups regarding sources and clinical protocols. Protocol setting, and MRI physics and sequences seem to be the main limitations of RTr knowledge. To remedy this gap, more time on training/university lectures and a rethinking of the practical training activities is required.