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RESEARCH ARTICLE
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Adapting to change: exploring perceptions and demands of the coronavirus (COVID-19) workforce changes – an Australian multi-institutional radiation oncology survey

Honor Magon A , Justin Smith https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8870-3282 B C D , Jacqueline Besson B , Eric Hau E F G H , Suzanne Taylor C I , Jeremy Ruben J K , Diana Jones B , Kira Mabb L , Jamie Feldman L , Leily Gholam Rezaei M and Yoo Young Lee https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4325-349X B C *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Digital Health and Informatics, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road Campus, Brisbane, Qld 4102, Australia.

B Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road Campus, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.

C Faculty of Medicine, University of QLD, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.

D College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia.

E Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

F Blacktown Haematology and Oncology Cancer Cente, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

G Westmead Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

H Westmead Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

I Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Alexandra Hospital Raymond Terrace Campus, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.

J Alfred Health Radiation Oncology ||The Alfred|| Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

K Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

L Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Princess Alexandra Hospital Ipswich Road Campus, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.

M Department of Radiation Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

* Correspondence to: yooyoung.lee@health.qld.gov.au

Australian Health Review https://doi.org/10.1071/AH23183
Submitted: 24 August 2023  Accepted: 22 February 2024  Published: 12 March 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA.

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the perceptions of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) initiated workplace strategies implemented in radiation oncology departments across Australia.

Methods

A multidisciplinary team from Princess Alexandra Hospital developed a survey to address the impact of the pandemic strategies on areas such as patient care, staff education, well-being, flexible working arrangements, and research. The survey was conducted from November 2020 to April 2021.

Results

Out of 210 respondents from seven institutions, 45% reported burnout and 57% experienced work work-related stress. A significant majority of respondents were in favour of continued remote work (86%, 131/153). Radiation oncologists identified administrative or non-clinical work (92%, 34/37), telehealth clinics (32%, 12/37), or radiation therapy planning (22%, 8/37) as suitable for remote work. Additionally, 54% (21/39) of the radiation oncologists plan to use telehealth more frequently, with 67% (26/39) feeling more confident with the technology. The majority (81%, 171/210) of participants favoured continuation of hybrid in-person and virtual meetings. Virtual solutions were adopted for quality assurance activities (72%, 118/165) and 52% (60/116) indicated preference for ongoing utility of virtual platforms. However, 38% (79/210) of the respondents expressed concerns about the negative impact on junior staff training.

Conclusion

These findings reveal a strong inclination towards technological advancements and remote work arrangements to enable flexible working conditions. Our study suggests the need for ongoing reforms, focusing on improving clinical service delivery efficiencies and enhancing job satisfaction among clinicians.

Keywords: burnout, COVID-19, radiation oncology, remote access, telehealth, well-being, work from home, work–life balance.

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