Preventing Burnout in the Face of Growing Patient Volumes in a Busy Outpatient CT Suite: A Technologist Perspective

CT technologists, like radiologists, are at risk of increased stress and burnout due to ever increasing clinical and workload demands. To mitigate these issues, radiology facilities need to be prepared to actively address and resolve issues that impact the technologist satisfaction. At our institution, a Process Improvement Committee was formed to identify and alleviate workplace stressors faced by CT technologists. As a result of the initiative, our CT department has evolved into a technologist-driven department in which experienced and effective technologists play a large role in fostering efficient and patient-centered care, while feeling empowered to function as leaders in their work environment. In this article, a senior CT technologist provides a first-hand account of the process changes from the technologist's perspective, focusing on strategies for establishing a supportive system that allows technologists to thrive in providing patient-centered care even in the busiest of clinical contexts.