Prevalence of Burnout Among Cardiothoracic Radiologists

Burnout is a psychological syndrome in response to chronic occupational stressors. The prevalence of burnout among medical professionals has been increasing, and recent studies have shown that radiologists are among those affected. We investigated the prevalence of burnout and assessed associated factors among cardiothoracic radiologists.

Society of Thoracic Radiology members were invited to complete an anonymous cross-sectional survey that included an adapted Maslach Burnout Inventory and questions about demographics, work place characteristics, and stressors.

The survey response rate was 33.1% (290/874). Per-item response rate ranged from 94% to 100% with a median of 99%. The prevalence of emotional exhaustion was 66.8% (186/283), depersonalization was 79% (223/283), and low personal accomplishment was 23% (65/280). There were no statistically significant differences between academic and private practice. There was a trend toward worse burnout in women, but this was not statistically significant. Being in early career (0 to 10 y since fellowship) was associated with low personal accomplishment [odds ratio (OR): 2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-3.99]. Those working fewer than 51 hours per week were significantly less likely to report emotional exhaustion (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.33-0.90). The odds of emotional exhaustion for those producing fewer than 7500 work relative value units per year were approximately half of those exceeding that number (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.22-0.95).

The prevalence of burnout among cardiothoracic radiologists is comparable to that reported for radiologists in other subspecialties such as musculoskeletal and interventional radiology. High work relative value unit productivity and longer work hours are associated with higher prevalence of burnout.