Addressing Burnout in the Radiology Department: A Call for Action

Purpose: Burnout among radiologists is increasing, with a systematic review highlighting prevalence estimates of 33–88% for burnout and 5–62% for severe burnout. The ACR Commission on Human Resources' survey indicates a gap between recognition and effective action in addressing physician burnout, with only one in five leaders reporting “extremely or very effective” measures at their practices for addressing physician burnout. This review synthesizes the currently published insights to suggest a roadmap to assist radiology departments in developing tailored burnout management and prevention programs.

Methods/Materials: A targeted literature search was performed utilizing databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar to capture insights to provide a conceptual framework for addressing burnout in radiology departments.

Results: Approaches to decreasing burnout within radiology departments fell into three broad categories: (1) Direct leadership interventions, including implementing the PRACTICE framework by Belfi, et al, or the leadership guidelines by Lexa and Parikh, which were highlighted as critical for creating supportive environments; (2) Organizational interventions, including familiarity with and adherence to the ACGME mandate on well-being and WHO “Guidelines on Mental Health at Work”; and (3) Personal interventions, such as mindfulness training and resilience-building. Nevertheless, radiologists face a spectrum of challenges that impede addressing burnout, including increased workload, reduced reimbursement, and inefficient workflow. The literature underscores the complex interplay between systemic factors and individual wellness, advocating for comprehensive solutions that address all the root causes of burnout among radiologists.

Conclusions: With the multi-factorial origin of burnout in radiologists and its serious adverse effects on physician wellness and patient safety, it is pivotal for all practices to implement evidence-based interventions that can decrease burnout and promote wellness. Tackling burnout in radiology necessitates shared responsibility between healthcare organizations and physicians, primarily through effective leadership and organizational change, while supporting individual resilience.