Burnout and occupational stress among Hungarian radiographers working in emergency and non-emergency departments during COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The increased workload caused by the coronavirus pandemic may have had a significant impact on the mental health of radiographers. The aim of our study was to investigate burnout and occupational stress in radiographers working in emergency departments (ED) and non-emergency departments (NED). METHODS: Quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive research was carried out among radiographers working in the public health sector in Hungary. Due to the cross-sectional nature of our survey, there was no overlap between the ED and NED groups. For data collection, we used simultaneously the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire (ERI), and our self-designed questionnaire. RESULTS: We excluded incomplete questionnaires from our survey; finally, 439 responses were evaluated. Significantly higher scores for depersonalisation (DP; 8.43 (SD = 6.69) vs. 5.63 (SD = 4.21) and emotional exhaustion (EE; 25.07 (SD = 11.41) vs. 19.72 (SD = 11.72)) were observed in radiographers working in ED (p = 0.001; p = 0.001) when compared to NED. Male radiographers working in ED aged 20-29 and 30-39 years with experience of 1-9 years were more affected by DP (p ≤ 0.05). Worrying about one's own health had a negative effect on DP and EE (p ≤ 0.05). Having close friend with a COVID-19 infection had a negative effect on EE (p ≤ 0.05); not being infected with coronavirus, not being quarantined and relocating within the workplace had a positive effect on personal accomplishment (PA); radiographers who were 50 years or older with 20-29 years of experience were more affected by depersonalisation (DP); and those who worried about their health had significantly higher stress scores (p ≤ 0.05) in both ED and NED settings. CONCLUSION: Male radiographers at the beginning of their careers were more affected by burnout. Employment in EDs had a negative impact on DP and EE. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Our results support the implementation of interventions to counter the effects of occupational stress and burnout among radiographers working in ED.

COVID-19 mortality is associated with low vitamin D levels in patients with risk factors and/or advanced age.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although conclusive evidence is yet lacking, it has been suggested that vitamin D deficiency (VD) may be associated with a more severe course of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (COVID-19). In this retrospective study we assessed the association of VD deficiency with mortality in a group of COVID-19 patients treated in a tertiary referral center. METHODS: Data of 257 Covid-19 patients hospitalized between 30th September 2020 and 2nd March 2021 have been collected retrospectively. The following parameters were collected: age, gender, serum level of 25-OH-Vitamin D3, outcome (survival/death), comorbidities (cancer, diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Serum VD measurement was done within 3 days of admission. RESULTS: VD levels were significantly lower in patients who did not survive, however, in this patients' group the average age was significantly higher than among those, who survived. After age-matching, in a subgroup of patients with risk factors and/or 60 years of age or older who survived had significantly higher VD level in their serum than those who deceased. Serum C-reactive protein, lactate-dehydrogenase and creatinin-kinase were significantly higher in the group in which the patients died, however these laboratory parameters did not correlate with the VD levels. CONCLUSION: We found that in COVID-19 infection, when old age as risk factor (60 years of age or older) was pooled with risk factors (cancer, diabetes and/or COPD), the VD levels were significantly lower in the patient group, in which the patients did not survive. We suggest further, prospective studies in similar subgroups to explore a possible causal relationship.