Predictors of Self-Reported Burnout Among Radiology Faculty at a Large Academic Medical Center

Determine predictors of self-reported burnout among academic radiologists.

In 2017, radiologists at an urban medical center completed the Stanford Wellness Survey, rating burnout via Likert scale (0: no burnout; 1: occasional stress, no burnout; 2: one or more burnout symptoms; 3: persistent burnout symptoms; 4: completely burned out). Univariate analyses assessed age, gender, family situation, clinical versus research focus, and academic rank for association with burnout (Likert scale ≥ 2). Responses in 11 domains querying definitions of burnout (professional fulfillment, emotional exhaustion, interpersonal disengagement), individual factors (sleep-related impairment, self-compassion, negative work impact on personal relationships), institutional factors (perceived appreciation, control over schedule, organizational or personal values alignment, electronic health record experience, supervisor's leadership quality) were evaluated for association with burnout, using χ² and logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs).

In 159 of 204 (77.9%) completed radiologist surveys, 35.2% (56 of 159) reported burnout. Age < 40 years (P = .0068) and clinical focus (P = .0111) were significantly associated with burnout. In univariate analysis, all domains except electronic health record were statistically significant: emotional exhaustion (OR = 1.93, P < .0001); professional fulfillment (OR = 0.78, P < .0001); self-compassion (OR = 1.36, P < .0001); perceived appreciation (OR = 0.78, P < .0001); sleep-related impairment (OR = 1.20, P < .0001); supervisor's leadership quality (OR = 0.91, P < .0001); interpersonal disengagement (OR = 1.31, P < .0001); organizational or personal values alignment (OR = 0.87, P = .0004); negative work impact on personal relationships (OR = 1.10, P = .0070); control over schedule (OR = 0.80, P = .0054); electronic health record experience (OR=1.03, P = .5392).

Nearly all questions significantly predicted self-reported burnout, observed in over one-third of academic radiologists. Younger age and clinical focus were associated with burnout. Initiatives targeting individual factors (eg, sleep impairment, self-compassion) and institutional factors (eg, physician appreciation, leadership-faculty interactions) may reduce burnout.