The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiology services in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected healthcare systems and had profound implications for healthcare professionals, cost-effective progress, public trust and social relations. Aim and objectivesThe main aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiology services in Saudi Arabia in terms of economic aspects, personal interaction, social distancing and long-term improvements. Method: A cross-sectional study design was applied using an online questionnaire, which was distributed among healthcare professionals working in radiology departments in Medina region between January and May 2023. ResultsA total of 110 participants agreed to take part in this study. In terms of the financial fallout, participants agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a hiring freeze and salary cuts (39%), a reduction in the workforce (47.2%) and imaging capacity (60%), and delayed purchase of required research/imaging equipment (53.5%), but less potential loss of experienced staff (46.4%). In relation to the disruption to normal operations, participants agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the progress of research projects (63.6%), remote work transition (51.8%), healthcare professionals’ reorganisation (64.6%) and personal interaction with patients (76.4%). With regard to safety concerns, participants agreed that the pandemic caused rescheduling of appointments to become slower (65.5%), annual screenings to be skipped (44.5%), misdiagnoses and delayed treatment (31.8%), and difficulties in recruiting participants for human trials (47.3%). Participants also agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic had led to some positive changes and long-term improvements for radiology, in terms of collaboration with physicians (54.6%), team communication (59.1%), wellness (60.9%), efficient workflow (47.3%), sharing data (50%) and remote learning (71.8%) ConclusionThis study revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has had some negative impacts on and led to a number of long-term improvements in radiology services in Saudi Arabia.