Table 1.
Impact of COVID-19 on radiology education, training, and service
|
Ref.
|
Country
|
Institute
|
Study population, n (%)
|
Time of the study
|
Survey tools
|
Findings
|
| Alamer and Alharbi[62], 2021 | Saudi Arabia | Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Qassim University | Medical student (n = 145) | 2019-2020 Academic session | On-line questionnaire | The sudden transition to completely distance learning was well received |
| Synchronous learning was the preferred mode of delivery | ||||||
| Student attendance in the synchronous sessions was high | ||||||
| Synchronous interaction was found to be as effective as on-campus face-to-face learning | ||||||
| The use of recorded sessions proved to be a source for knowledge gain and a solution for technical difficulties | ||||||
| Durfee et al[63], 2020 | United States | Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School | Medical student (n = 111) | April 2020 | Online final exam. On-line questionnaire | Virtual radiology clerkship was a successful educational experience |
| Final exam scores were similar to the in-person clerkship | ||||||
| Students expressed their satisfaction with small group homerooms learning activities | ||||||
| Lack of personal connections between faculty and students | ||||||
| McRoy et al[64], 2020 | United States | Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine | Radiology residents (n = 16) | March 15-May 15, 2020 | Novel cloud-based Distance Learning Workstation | The model improved residents’ confidence and knowledge to take the independent call. |
| Veerasuri et al[65], 2020 | United Kingdom | A regional United Kingdom radiology school | All specialty trainees | May 5-May 19, 2020 | On-line questionnaire | Overall radiology workload had decreased in response to COVID-19 |
| Decreased subspecialty experience | ||||||
| Complete lack of subspecialty training | ||||||
| Decrease well-being compared to before the pandemic | ||||||
| Odedra et al[66], 2020 | Canada | Canadian Association of Radiologists | Resident members of the Canadian Association of Radiologists (n = 96) | May 1-May 15, 2020 | On-line questionnaire | COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on radiology residency programs |
| Experienced an overall higher disruption in daytime schedules and case volumes | ||||||
| Teaching rounds were moderately affected | ||||||
| Virtual interviews for fellowship have been proposed | ||||||
| Internal and external assessments were heavily affected | ||||||
| Impact on the psychological well-being of the trainees | ||||||
| Rainford et al[67], 2021 | 12 countries | Selected Radiography training institutions (n = 14) | Student radiographer, including final year students (n = 592) | Mid-June-Mid-July 2020 | On-line questionnaire | Highlighted challenges related to clinical placements e.g., accommodation, travel, childcare. finance |
| Shanahan and Akudjedu[68], 2021 | Australia | Members of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy | Radiographers and radiation therapists (n = 218) | June 24-July 15, 2020 | On-line questionnaire | Changes in work hours and workload were experienced due to COVID-19 |
| PPE was in short supply | ||||||
| Increased personal stress and anxiety at work | ||||||
| In addition, their work caused increased stress to their family, partners, or friends | ||||||
| Hoegger et al[69], 2021 | North America | 86 institutions | Radiology chief residents (n = 140) | March 20-May 15, 2020 | On-line questionnaire | 59% of residents reported increased stress |
| 93% of programs had fewer residents on service | ||||||
| Robbins et al[70], 2020 | United States | Members of Association of Program Directors in Radiology | Program directors, Associate program directors, department chairs, Education vice-chair, and Faculty (n = 108) | April 16–May 14, 2020 | On-line questionnaire | Educational mission–moderate/marked negative impact (70.1%) |
| Resident morale–moderate/marked negative impact (44.8%) | ||||||
| Adequate resident access to mental health resources during the acute phase of the pandemic (88.8%) | ||||||
| The morale of program directors–mild or marked decreased (61%) | ||||||
| Foley et al[71], 2020 | Ireland | All six Irish healthcare regions | Radiographers (n = 370 first survey, and 266 second survey) | March 2020 (first survey). Late May 2020 (second survey) | On-line questionnaire | Almost 50% of the radiographers were exposed to COVID-19-positive patients without appropriate PPE |
| Anxiety levels reduced substantially 6 weeks into the crisis period | ||||||
| 40% of the radiographers reported burnout symptoms | ||||||
| 30% reported considering changing jobs or retiring since the pandemic | ||||||
| Alhasan et al[72], 2021 | Saudi Arabia | National survey | Radiology residents (n = 109) | Academic year 2019-2020 | On-line questionnaire | Most residents reported a negative impact of the pandemic on their educational and clinical activities, and personal well-being |
| Coppola et al[73], 2021 | Italy | National survey | Members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (n = 2150) | 2020 | On-line questionnaire | Working and personal life of the respondents was impacted by the pandemic |
| Patel et al[74], 2021 | Canada | National survey | Interventional radiologists (n = 142) | May 5-28, 2020 | On-line questionnaire | Pandemic had a profound impact on IR services, particularly for elective cases |
| Considerable percentage of trainees would have a delay in starting their careers |
PPE: Personal protective equipment.