Interventional Radiology in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Impact on Practices and Wellbeing.

Purpose To report the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on interventional radiology (IR). Materials and Methods A 78-question survey was distributed to practicing interventional radiologists and IR trainees. The survey consisted of demographic and practice environment queries. Anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) screener, and coping strategies were assessed using the Brief-Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE) questionnaire. Results There were 422 respondents including 333 (78.9%) attending interventional radiologists and 89 (21.1%) interventional radiologists-in-training from 15 counties. Most respondents were from academic medical centers (n = 218; 51.7%). A large majority (n = 391; 92.7%) performed a procedure on a patient with confirmed COVID-19 infection. An N95 mask was the most common (n = 366; 93.6%) safety measure employed. Cancellation or limitation of elective procedures were reported by 276 (65.4%) respondents. Many respondents (n = 177; 41.9%) had self-reported anxiety (GAD-7 score >5) with an overall mean GAD-7 score of 4.64 ± 4.63 (range: 0-21). Factors associated with reporting anxiety included female gender (p = 0.045), increased call coverage (p = 0.048), lack of adequate departmental adjustments (p 125% with adoption of dysfunctional strategies. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic induced practice alterations and high rates of self-reported anxiety in IR. Female gender, increased call coverage, and lack of adequate or timely departmental adjustments were associated with increased anxiety levels.