Impact on mental health of the COVID-19 pandemic in a radiation oncology department

Aim To evaluate the emotional state and organizational well-being of healthcare workers in radiation oncology departments, during the COVID pandemic. Methods A survey was carried out with three questionnaires: Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R); Italian ANAC questionnaire; and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Comparisons between groups were done by Student's t test. Results Seventy-eight questionnaires for 26 workers were analyzed. Thirty-three percent of the sample obtained an IES-R high score, such as post-traumatic syndrome. In terms of organizational well-being, younger age and lower working seniority were statistically significant for higher score of ANAC items (p < 0.5). Regarding MBI, 0, 27 and 50% high scores of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment were reported, respectively. Low working seniority and male sex were correlated with high score of personal accomplishment (p:0.05; p:0.03). Conclusion Intervention to promote mental health well-being should be implemented in radiation oncology department.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the emotional state and organizational well-being of healthcare workers in radiation oncology departments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that a portion of the sample had post-traumatic syndrome and burnout, with younger age, lower working seniority, and male sex potentially associated with high scores of personal accomplishment. Therefore, interventions to promote mental health well-being should be implemented in radiation oncology departments.