Occupational burnout among interventional radiologists - prevalence, risk factors and interventions

Interventional radiology (IR) is one of the fastest growing medical subspecialties, offering minimally invasive procedures associated with reduced postoperative complications and faster recovery. However, the rapid expansion of this field has increased physicians' workload, contributing to a rising risk of occupational burnout (OB). Burnout, recognized as a distinct disorder in ICD-11, adversely affects physicians' mental and physical health, professional performance, and patient safety. This narrative review aimed to summarize current findings on the prevalence, risk factors, and potential interventions regarding OB among interventional radiologists worldwide. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, complemented by an additional manual search, identified seven eligible original research articles. According to available data, the prevalence of OB among IRs ranges from 44% to 71.9%, depending on applied methodological criteria. Key risk factors include excessive workload, administrative burdens, disturbed work-life balance, younger age, limited IR experience, dysfunctional coping strategies, and lack of time for academic activities. Proposed interventions can be divided into systemic changes, such as workload reduction and improved departmental organization, and individual strategies aimed at resilience-building, including mindfulness training, physical exercise, and structured group discussions. Evidence suggests that combined approaches yield the most sustainable results. Despite methodological limitations, the reviewed studies highlight the alarming scale of burnout in IR. Further standardized research is urgently needed to inform effective prevention strategies. Addressing burnout is crucial not only to protect physician well-being but also to improve patient outcomes and sustain healthcare system efficiency.