Australian radiographers’ and radiation therapists’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Radiographers and radiation therapists are key patient-facinghealth practitioners supporting the delivery of optimal patient care during theCOVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this research was to investigate the impact ofCOVID-19 on clinical service delivery and well-being of these healthcareprofessionals in Australia. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey ofAustralian radiographers and radiation therapists was conducted in June–July2020. The survey collected data on demographic characteristics, and the impactof COVID-19 on professional practice, infection control and workplace-relatedstress. Results: A total of 218 responses were received. Changes in work hours(P < 0.001) and workload (P = 0.022) were experienced due to COVID-19.Diagnostic radiographers reported increased procedural pressure on mobileradiography, computed tomography and general radiography. For radiationtherapists, most pressure included areas of simulation and linear accelerator.PPE was in short supply at the start of the pandemic, and at the time of thestudy, shortages were identified for all PPE items. There was no difference inPPE supply reported by diagnostic radiographers and radiation therapistsexcept for hand sanitiser (P = 0.003). Respondents experienced increasedpersonal stress (61.4%) and anxiety (58.2%) at work due to COVID-19. Inaddition, their work caused increased stress to their family, partners or friends(57.4%). Conclusions: COVID-19 has resulted in changes to clinical workingpatterns and service delivery. PPE shortages, as well as increased workplace-related stress, were identified. Workplaces should seek to mitigate the pandemicimpact through the provision of adequate PPE for safe practice as well asimplement strategies to support and enhance staff well-being

Subcortical volumes across the lifespan: Data from 18,605 healthy individuals aged 3-90 years

Age has a major effect on brain volume. However, the normative studies available are constrained by small sample sizes, restricted age coverage and significant methodological variability. These limitations introduce inconsistencies and may obscure or distort the lifespan trajectories of brain morphometry. In response, we capitalized on the resources of the Enhancing Neuroimaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium to examine age-related trajectories inferred from cross-sectional measures of the ventricles, the basal ganglia (caudate, putamen, pallidum, and nucleus accumbens), the thalamus, hippocampus and amygdala using magnetic resonance imaging data obtained from 18,605 individuals aged 3-90 years. All subcortical structure volumes were at their maximum value early in life. The volume of the basal ganglia showed a monotonic negative association with age thereafter; there was no significant association between age and the volumes of the thalamus, amygdala and the hippocampus (with some degree of decline in thalamus) until the sixth decade of life after which they also showed a steep negative association with age. The lateral ventricles showed continuous enlargement throughout the lifespan. Age was positively associated with inter-individual variability in the hippocampus and amygdala and the lateral ventricles. These results were robust to potential confounders and could be used to examine the functional significance of deviations from typical age-related morphometric patterns