Burnout among Interventional Radiologists

Abstract

Purpose: To characterize burnout, as defined by high emotional exhaustion (EE) or depersonalization (DP), among interventional radiologists using a validated assessment tool.

Materials and methods: An anonymous 34-question survey was distributed to interventional radiologists. The survey consisted of demographic and practice environment questions and the 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI). Interventional radiologists with high scores on EE (≥ 27) or DP (≥ 10) MBI subscales were considered to have a manifestation of career burnout.

Results: Beginning on January 7, 2019, 339 surveys were completed over 31 days. Of respondents, 263 (77.6%) identified as male, 75 (22.1%) identified as female, and 1 (0.3%) identified as trans-male. The respondents were interventional radiology attending physicians (298; 87.9%), fellows (20; 5.9%), and residents (21; 6.2%) practicing at academic (136; 40.1%), private (145; 42.8%), and hybrid (58; 17.1%) centers. Respondents worked < 40 hours (15; 4.4%), 40-60 hours (225; 66.4%), 60-80 hours (81; 23.9%), and > 80 hours (18; 5.3%) per week. Mean MBI scores for EE, DP, and personal achievement were 30.0 ± 13.0, 10.6 ± 6.9, and 39.6 ± 6.6. Burnout was present in 244 (71.9%) participants. Identifying as female (odds ratio 2.4; P = .009) and working > 80 hours per week (odds ratio 7.0; P = .030) were significantly associated with burnout.

Conclusions: Burnout is prevalent among interventional radiologists. Identifying as female and working > 80 hours per week were strongly associated with burnout.