Prevalence of Burnout among Canadian Radiologists and Radiology Trainees

Abstract

Purpose Physician burnout is on the rise compared to the average population, and radiology burnout rates are ranked high compared to other specialties. We aim to assess radiologist and radiology trainee burnout in Canada. Methods A survey using the abbreviated 7-item Maslach Burnout Inventory that characterizes burnout symptoms into personal accomplishment, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization was sent to all eligible members of the Canadian Association of Radiologists in January 2018. The anonymous survey was hosted on SurveyMonkey for 1 month. A reminder e-mail was sent halfway through the survey period. Results Overall, 262 of 1401 invited radiology trainees and radiologists completed the survey (response rate 18.7%). With regards to personal accomplishment, we observed that (1) burnout in this domain improved with increased years worked and (2) milder symptoms were observed in community radiologists compared with their academic counterparts. In comparison with other studies of radiologist burnout, we found mild burnout symptoms in personal accomplishment, but severe symptoms in the burnout domains of both emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Conclusions Canadian radiologists and radiology trainees reported above average burnout symptoms with regard to both emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Future research directions include exploring etiologies of burnout and implementation of treatment strategies based on these identified problem areas.

Impact of COVID-19 on Canadian Radiology Residency Training Programs

“…In our study, we received a response rate of 20.9% (96/460), which is comparable to prior studies that surveyed a similar population in Canada. 12,13 All the residency levels were relatively well represented, ranging from 15.6% to 25.0%. As expected, most of the responses were from moderate-sized programs (4-6 or 7-9 residents per year), as these programs overall dominate in Canada.…”

Resident physician burnout: insights from a Canadian multispecialty survey

“…Resident physicians demonstrate higher burnout than physicians in practice and the general US population 3 4. Burnout results in reduced patient care quality and increased medical errors, and is also associated with substance abuse, depression and suicide 3 5–7. Physician and resident burnout have received much attention over the last few years due to reported prevalence rates exceeding 50%, specifically among trainees 3 5 8–13…”

Burnout in Canadian Radiology Residency: A National Assessment of Prevalence and Underlying Contributory Factors

“…2 In addition, burnout results in poor patient care, poor mental health, and increased health-care expenditures. 3 The 22-question Maslach Burnout Inventory-Health Services Survey (MBI-HSS) has been validated as an accurate measure of burnout in medical residents. 2 -5…”

“…2,5,7,8 Although an excellent study involving Canadian radiology physicians and residents was recently undertaken, which demonstrated above-average burnout, this study had a low-resident response rate, did not use the validated Maslach questionnaire, and did not examine exhaustive contributory factors. 3…”