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Perceived Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Radiology Departments Around the World: WFPI COVID-19 Task Force Survey
Alexandra Foust1, Patrick R Johnston1, Joanna Kasznia-Brown1
1Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America (A.F., P.R.J., A.J.W., E.Y.L.); Department of Radiology, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom (J.K.); Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China (W.C.C.); Department of Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital Materno-Infantil Vall d'Heborn, Barcelona, Spain (P.G.); Alta Exelencia Diagnostica and Department of Radiology, Clinica Diagnostico por Imagem (CDPI), Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (P.D.); Department of Radiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (K.M.D.); Department of Pediatric Radiology, Clinical Radiology Institute, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia (D.P.); Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa (T.K.).
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted global pediatric radiology practices, affecting daily operations and resident education. Concerns about personal health and exposure were paramount among professionals.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Medical Imaging
- Pediatric Radiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems worldwide.
- Pediatric radiology, a specialized field, faced unique impacts due to the pandemic's effects on children and healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the global impact of COVID-19 on pediatric radiology practices.
- To identify key concerns and challenges faced by pediatric radiologists during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- A global electronic survey was distributed by the World Federation of Pediatric Imaging (WFPI) COVID-19 task force.
- Survey data from 71 countries analyzed using frequency tables, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression.
Main Results:
- 92% of respondents reported significant changes in pediatric radiology departments due to COVID-19.
- Top concerns included personal/family health (75%) and exposure (67%).
- 94% noted changes in resident education, with 31% concerned about future career choices.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 has substantially and negatively impacted pediatric radiology worldwide.
- The pandemic created significant operational and educational challenges within the field.
Purpose:
To investigate how COVID-19 has impacted pediatric radiology practice around the world at the present time.
Materials And Methods:
This study was based on a survey conducted by the World Federation of Pediatric Imaging (WFPI) COVID-19 task force. Pediatric radiology representatives from countries around the world were identified and asked to complete an electronic survey consisting of 17 questions related to the impact of, concerns surrounding, and education related to COVID-19 on pediatric radiology. For each outcome variable, a pair of 2-way frequency tables was constructed: one against COVID-19 prevalence, and another against region. Tests of independence of the tables' row and column factors were performed based on Fisher's exact test and odds ratios (OR) were estimated via logistic regression models corresponding to these 2-way tables.
Results:
The survey (response rate 87%, 72/83) comprised representatives from 71 countries and Hong Kong across 6 continents. 66/72 respondents (92%) indicated that COVID-19 has resulted in moderate (21/72, 29%), significant (36/72, 50%), or complete (9/72, 13%) change in radiology departments/practices in their countries. The two most frequent concerns over the next four months were personal/family health (54/72, 75%) and exposure (48/72, 67%). 79% (57/72) of respondents indicated some level of discomfort in identifying pediatric COVID-19 imaging manifestations. Changes in resident education were reported by 68/72 (94%) respondents, and 22/72 (31%) were concerned that the likelihood of current trainees pursuing a career in pediatric radiology will be impacted.
Conclusion:
COVID-19 has had a substantial negative impact on pediatric radiology practice around the world.
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