Burnout of Radiologists in the United States: Current Status & Trends Over the Past Decade

Purpose: This study aimed to review studies that reported the burnout of practicing and training radiologists in the United States based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS).

Methods/Materials: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar was performed based on PRISMA guidelines (February 18th, 2023). Random-effects proportion meta-analysis was conducted. The sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were used to explore the influence of categorical variables on heterogeneity. Cochrane’s Q test and the I2 statistic were utilized to determine heterogeneity.

Results: Nine studies (15,135 participants), including 13,257 (87.6%) practicing radiologists with subspecialty training such as pediatric (1,453, 9.6%), musculoskeletal (1,248, 8.2%), cardiothoracic (874, 5.8%), breast (2,280, 15.1%), and interventional radiology (7,402, 48.9%), as well as residents/trainees (1,878, 12.4%), were included (Fig. 1A). The highest and lowest response rate was observed in musculoskeletal 40% (95% confidence interval [CI]:37-43%) and interventional radiologists 5% (95%CI:4-5%), respectively. Trainees including residents, had the highest rate of lack of personal accomplishment (PA) 58% (95%CI:51-65%). The lowest lack of PA with the highest emotional exhaustion (EE) was reported in breast imaging radiologists 9% (95%CI:6-12%) and 69% (95%CI:64-74%), respectively. The pooled proportion rate for depersonalization was high in the cardiothoracic 79% (95%CI:74-83%) followed by breast imaging 63% (95%CI:58-68%), and pediatric radiologists 61% (95%CI:56-66%), respectively. Having a partner, child, and debt level < $200,000 was significantly positively associated with lower EE and higher PA among radiology residents (Fig. 1B).

Conclusions: Major problems such as emotional exhaustion and depersonalization are widespread among radiologists and trainees. Moreover, we observed that residents/trainees are a moderate burnout risk group with the highest rate of low personal accomplishment compared to other sub-cohorts. The high rates of depersonalization and emotional exhaustion are warning signs for professional drop-out and/or retirement.