Job satisfaction and factors involved in transitioning from the clinical practice of interventional radiology

To assess the factors that affect interventional radiologists' decision to transition from interventional radiology (IR), and to determine what activities they pursue following this transition.

An online questionnaire gauging influences on interventional radiologists' decision to transition from IR was posted to the Society of Interventional Radiology Connect Forum. 167 questionnaires were completed; 27/167 (16%) had fully transitioned from clinical IR, 28/167 (17%) were in the process of transitioning, and 112/167 (67%) had not transitioned.

Among respondents who had fully transitioned or were in the process of transitioning from clinical IR, nighttime call responsibilities (30/55, 55%), burnout (23/55, 42%), and age (20/55, 36%) were the most frequent factors cited in the decision to make the transition. Increased diagnostic radiology (DR) workload was reported by 23/55 (42%) respondents during their transition. Other than DR, the most commonly pursued activities following transition were athletics (17/55, 31%) and mentorship to students/trainees (15/55, 27%). Among respondents who had not transitioned, nighttime call responsibilities (81/112, 72%), burnout (64/112, 57%), and age (59/112, 53%) were considered the most influential factors regarding when to transition from clinical IR. Among all respondents, job satisfaction decreased for 82/167 (49%) during their IR career. 136/167 (81%) reported they would pursue the field of IR again.

Nighttime call responsibilities, burnout, and age were the major influences in the decision to transition from clinical IR. Job satisfaction decreased for nearly half of respondents during their career in IR, yet over 80% would pursue the field of IR again.