Interprofessional practice in the intensive treatment unit during the Covid-19 pandemic; the reflections of an advanced practitioner radiographer

Abstract

Background The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 posed significant challenges to the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom (UK). Existing workforce shortages were further exacerbated with staff absence, and the need to redeploy staff into frontline clinical areas became a necessity. Purpose The exploration of the experiences of an Advanced Practitioner Radiographer volunteering in the Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Method Interview using Microsoft Teams© involving one participant facilitated by two researchers using a semi-structured interview schedule. Discussion Redeployment to ITU has allowed individuals to work outside of their normal scope of practice. The non-hierarchical structure within teams, focussed minds and demonstrated interprofessional collaboration at its best, ensuring the best patient care was delivered to those critically affected by the virus. Conclusion The interprofessional practice demonstrated in ITU during the pandemic should be applied to future learning and training opportunities, to develop individuals and prepare for future pandemics