Leading the Way to Wellness: The Impact of Divisional Leadership Change on Radiologist Well-Being

Previous work at a multispecialty healthcare organization demonstrated that leadership qualities of physician supervisors have a direct effect on the personal well-being of the physicians they lead. This study evaluates the impact of physician leadership at the divisional level on radiologist well-being at a large academic practice.

We anonymously surveyed radiologists at a large academic institution in 2023 and 2024 on the leadership qualities of their immediate leader (division director) on a 5-point Likert scale. We concurrently administered the Physician Well-Being Index™ (PWBI)-a validated self-assessment tool that quantifies dimensions of well-being and distress. Higher PWBI scores correspond to low career satisfaction and higher levels of distress. Scores for each metric were compared between the two years as was the impact of intervening divisional leadership change.

The mean PWBI score across all divisions within the Radiology department decreased from 1.83 in 2023 to 0.89 in 2024, representing an overall improvement in well-being. The magnitude of improvement between 2023 and 2024 was greater for those divisions that experienced leadership change, also reflected by an interval increase in likelihood to recommend working for their division director score, overall satisfaction with their division director score, lower (improved) PWBI scores, lower percentage of high-level distress, and higher percentage of high-level thriving among their faculty members.

Changes to divisional leadership even within a relatively short period of time can have a positive impact in promoting a work environment that cultivates professional satisfaction and improves well-being within an academic Radiology practice.