Abstract
KwaZulu-Natal was declared the epicentre of COVID-19 in South Africa since case zero was
reported in this province. The COVID-19 virus affects the respiratory system once it is within
the human body. Medical imaging services such as chest computed tomography and
radiography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging were required to diagnose and
manage the virus. Diagnostic radiographers providing these medical imaging services thus
worked amid the pandemic, and their well-being was found to be impacted. Several studies
have presented some of the challenges diagnostic radiographers face around the globe.
However, studies exploring diagnostic radiographers’ reflections on COVID-19 using an
appreciative inquiry approach are lacking.
This study aimed to explore and describe diagnostic radiographers’ reflections on working
amid COVID-19 in the King Cetshwayo District (KCD), KwaZulu-Natal, and develop strategies
to support radiographers working amid communicable diseases. Reflection was defined as
diagnostic radiographers’ analytical thinking about their experiences of working amid COVID-
19 and gaining insights into their professional practice. The appreciative inquiry model was
used to redesign a positive future. The study’s population was diagnostic radiographers from
the KCD in KwaZulu-Natal. Diagnostic radiographers from three private hospitals within the
district were purposefully sampled. Permission was requested and granted before any data
were collected, and the study adhered to all ethical considerations. Data were collected
through individual, face-to-face, in-depth interviews using the 4D appreciative inquiry model
until data saturation was reached at interview 11. The interviews were held in the participants’
preferred setting and lasted 45 minutes to an hour. The researcher recorded, transcribed and
analysed the interviews using thematic analysis and managed the data according to the
University of Johannesburg’s data management protocols.
The researcher maintained rigour by adhering to the four components of trustworthiness:
confirmability, credibility, dependability, and transferability. Moreover, bioethical norms were
upheld in this study to protect participants’ rights and their voluntary consent to participate.
Information letters and consent forms were shared with diagnostic radiographers, inviting them
to be part of the study, provided they were interested and understood the research process
and what was required of them. Participants’ privacy and confidentiality were also upheld.
Moreover, all information obtained was confidential and de-identified so that data could not be
attributed to a single participant.
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The study’s findings showed participants’ reflections on working amid COVID-19. The
researcher explored the phenomenon’s effects on participants’ physical and mental health,
personal protective equipment shortages and salary cuts. Participants shared the adaptive
strategies they employed to function during the COVID-19 pandemic and appreciated their
contributions and adaptability. Participants also shared their dreams, designs and destiny of
an ideal radiology department during future communicable disease outbreaks. Strategies to
support diagnostic radiographers working amid a pandemic were provided, emphasising
resource availability and promoting teamwork. The findings of the conducted interviews, in
conjunction with the integration of literature, produced recommendations for practice,
education, and additional research. The research was limited by its regional and exclusive
focus on diagnostic radiographers.