Burnout and Wellness Interventions Among Canadian Radiology Trainees: A Single Institution Study

This study examines factors contributing to burnout among radiology residents through a Canadian lens and assesses strategies employed at our institution to mitigate its impact.

This was a single-institution cross-sectional study. Four anonymous online surveys were administered through Qualtrics to PGY 2-5 radiology residents from 2021 to 2025. These surveys identified residents with burnout and distress and assessed contributing factors, suggestions for reducing burnout, and residents' responses to implemented interventions. Interventions were employed at 2 hospitals within our institution.

The surveys had response rates of 30% (2021), 57.7% (2023), 60% (2024), and 62% (2025). 50% of pre-intervention respondents were identified as burned out. The rate reduced to 18.8% post-intervention, with results not being statistically significant (P = .167). Top factors driving burnout included time (eg, increased work hours, time constraints), extra duties (clinical and administrative), and perceived lack of radiology knowledge when dealing with complex cases. Interventions included additional daily 1-hour teaching sessions, wellness lunch rounds, debriefing sessions, transitioning from paper-based protocolling to a hybrid-electronic paper-based system, call schedule modifications, improved ergonomics, and social functions, including incorporating indoor and outdoor activities. Interventions targeting work hours were subjectively the most well-received in combating burnout.

This study underscores the prevalence of burnout among radiology residents. Our institution has implemented a multi-faceted approach to address burnout within our radiology residency program.