Prioritizing work-life balance can be the key to preventing burnout and keeping your passion for medicine alive.
Burnout is a critical concern in radiology, with studies consistently showing radiologists experiencing some of the highest rates among medical specialists. While countless online resources offer tips for mitigating burnout, a more proactive approach exists: prioritizing work-life balance for burnout prevention.
Burnout in the Profession
The Radiologist shortage, fear of litigation, an aging, sicker population, scope of practice expansion, imaging overutilization and the high cognitive load required by interpretations all contribute to the current crisis of Radiologist burnout. “Radiologists are at higher risk for burnout than other subspecialities … there’s a lot that’s asked of us,” Dr Rama Ayyala, MD, citing the challenges related to reporting delays due to image over-ordering.
With the advancement of technology, imaging scans are becoming more involved. “A head CT has changed radically in my own lifetime, from 37 images to 10 times as many per study,” says Dr Lexa, chief medical officer of the Radiology Leadership Institute of the American College of Radiology.”1 If this trend continues unchecked, the quality of patient care and radiologists’ well-being are both at significant risk.
Well-being?
It’s more than just the absence of illness; it’s about thriving in all aspects of life. As the World Health Organization puts it, well-being “encompasses quality of life and the ability of people and societies to contribute to the world with a sense of meaning and purpose.” It’s also about feeling satisfied with your life and having the tools to manage stress. The good news? Because well-being includes so many positive aspects – happiness, health, strong social connections, and a sense of purpose – it’s something most of us naturally strive for.
Live to Work or Work to Live?
While dedicating years to your profession can undoubtedly shape your identity and provide a sense of purpose, it can also strain a healthy work-life balance. A recent Medscape survey revealed that 60% of radiologists would prioritize a better work-life balance even if it meant a pay cut. The survey also found that 39% of radiologists experience parental conflict due to work demands, and another 33% report difficulty achieving a healthy balance. Many radiologists struggle to reconcile demanding careers with personal lives, further emphasizing the importance of addressing work-life balance for radiologists in order to promote career satisfaction.
The Secret to Happiness
A recent article in The Atlantic, “The Secret to Happiness at Work,” offered an interesting perspective: your career path doesn’t have to be the most glamorous or prestigious one. The key to happiness is finding work that you find fulfilling and rewarding. Job satisfaction comes from people, values, and a sense of accomplishment.” According to a Gallup poll, the top attribute U.S. employees seek in their job is a reasonable work-life balance and better personal well-being. Why should radiologists strive for anything less?
The path to well-being is a personal journey.
A fulfilling personal life often fuels professional excellence. Excalibur can provide work for radiologists that seek scheduling flexibility. It all boils down to your priorities, wants, and needs. Some radiologists that we work with are nearing retirement but crave some continued engagement, so they opt for a few days of work per week. Some prioritize family time, and remote work allows them to be more present. For others, a side hustle complements their full-time job, while others still crave the freedom to travel and seek flexible schedules to explore. The right teleradiology work helps you strengthen work-life balance that supports what truly matters to you.
Teleradiology helps you live where you want.
Teleradiology creates opportunities that on-site radiology cannot. The remote nature of Teleradiology jobs can be leveraged for well-being and happiness while realizing your professional goals. Working as a teleradiologist allows you to contribute to improving patient care across the U.S. while maintaining flexibility and autonomy in where and when you work.
Does Excalibur teleradiology work suit your work-life balance goals?
Attaining sustainable career satisfaction without burnout is different for everyone. Reach out to discuss your goals with us.
Sources
- https://appliedradiology.com/Articles/playing-with-fire-burnout-among-radiologists-a-growing-concern ↩︎
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