Breast Remote Reading: Widely Desired But Home Workstations Show No Association With Job Satisfaction Or Burnout

Understand radiologists' opinions regarding remote breast imaging and determine whether having home workstations is associated with greater job satisfaction or less burnout.

A 43-question survey on remote breast imaging was distributed to Society of Breast Imaging members (July 6 to August 2, 2023). Questions regarding job satisfaction and burnout were included. Pearson's chi-squared tests compared demographic variables and responses. Multiple-variable logistic regression assessed associations between home workstations and job satisfaction or burnout.

In total, 424 surveys were completed (response rate 13%, 424/3244). Among the third (31%, 132/424) of breast imaging radiologists with home workstations, top motivations included flexibility/work-life balance (67%; 88/132) and decreased commute time (51%, 67/132). Most felt that working from home improved their efficiency (65%, 86/132). Perceived drawbacks among all breast imaging radiologists included the inability to perform US or physical examination (71%, 300/424) and impaired patient contact (47%, 198/424). Most (57%, 240/424) wished for more breast imaging remote reading opportunities, and one-third (32%, 136/424) saw themselves in a 100% remote reading practice in the future. The majority (60%, 228/388) felt that remote reading would majorly or moderately improve radiologist wellness, but no significant association was found between having home workstations and job satisfaction (P = .301) or burnout (P = .140).

The majority of breast imaging radiologists want more opportunities to work remotely, perceiving that it improves work-life balance and efficiency, albeit at the expense of patient contact. However, those currently working from home did not have higher job satisfaction or lower burnout.