Karen A Buch1, Dania Daye1, Monica J Wood1, Carmen Alvarez1, Marcela G Del Carmen2, Darshan H Mehta3, Miriam A Bredella4. 1. Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. 2. Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Chief Medical Officer, Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. 3. Medical Director, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. 4. Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: mbredella@mgh.harvard.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To implement a multifaceted wellness program in an academic radiology department to prevent burnout and to assess initial outcomes with special focus on the challenges related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: A wellness program was established to address institutional and personal factors of burnout. The program focused on interventions to improve efficiency of practice, provide personal and career support, and create a culture of wellness. The components of the program were designed with input from radiology faculty, and the program was financially supported by the hospital's physician organization. A survey was performed 6 months after the initiation of the program to determine radiologist engagement and satisfaction. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey was administered to identify needs of faculty and adjust initiatives. This study was exempt from institutional review board approval. RESULTS: The majority of radiologists (79%) agreed or strongly agreed that the wellness program provided opportunities to connect with coworkers. All radiologists agreed that the program was helpful and should be continued. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 49% of physicians requested initiatives focused on well-being, emotional health, and mindfulness to support them during the crisis. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a faculty wellness program in an academic radiology department addressed institutional and personal factors of burnout, allowed faculty to connect with coworkers, and was found to be helpful by all radiologists. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted needs to well-being and emotional health initiatives. Follow-up data are necessary to assess its effect on burnout reduction.
OBJECTIVE: To implement a multifaceted wellness program in an academic radiology department to prevent burnout and to assess initial outcomes with special focus on the challenges related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: A wellness program was established to address institutional and personal factors of burnout. The program focused on interventions to improve efficiency of practice, provide personal and career support, and create a culture of wellness. The components of the program were designed with input from radiology faculty, and the program was financially supported by the hospital's physician organization. A survey was performed 6 months after the initiation of the program to determine radiologist engagement and satisfaction. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey was administered to identify needs of faculty and adjust initiatives. This study was exempt from institutional review board approval. RESULTS: The majority of radiologists (79%) agreed or strongly agreed that the wellness program provided opportunities to connect with coworkers. All radiologists agreed that the program was helpful and should be continued. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 49% of physicians requested initiatives focused on well-being, emotional health, and mindfulness to support them during the crisis. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of a faculty wellness program in an academic radiology department addressed institutional and personal factors of burnout, allowed faculty to connect with coworkers, and was found to be helpful by all radiologists. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted needs to well-being and emotional health initiatives. Follow-up data are necessary to assess its effect on burnout reduction.
Authors: Jeanne M Horowitz; Michael J Choe; Katelyn Dienes; Kenzie A Cameron; Gaurava Agarwal; Vahid Yaghmai; James C Carr Journal: Curr Probl Diagn Radiol Date: 2022-03-03