Burnout and Associated Risk Factors a Cross-Sectional Study Among Staff of Radiology Clinics in Slovakia

Background: With the rising demand for fast and reliable diagnosis the radiology departments struggle to keep up. In Slovakia however it is difficult to find more employees for radiology clinics and departments, therefore the employees are ever more overburdened, which may lead to burnout. Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the burnout situation among radiology clinics and departments employees and asses the specific causes that increase the risk of burnout. Compare the burnout profile of radiologists and technicians. And look for potential targets for intervention in order to stabilize and improve the situation. Methods: Standardized Burnout assessment tool (BAT), validated in Slovak and an author-developed exploratory instrument were distributed among employees of ten hospitals in Slovakia. Convenience sampling was used in ten radiology clinics and departments in big, small and specialized hospitals. The entire questionnaire consisted of 55 questions. The received responses were processed statistically and correlations were analyzed. Results: There have been 213 questionnaires distributed and 105 complete and valid responses received. 26 respondents (24.76%) had an overall BAT score at or above 3.02 and can be considered at risk of burnout. The dominants dimensions of burnout in our set were exhaustion (3.06) and cognitive impairment (2.76). The highest score in the author-developed exploratory instrument was in visual exhaustion of radiologists (3.78). In the group of workers with 5 or more 24 shifts monthly mental distance is elevated (3.05). Burnout profiles in equal groups (N = 46) of radiologists and radiology technicians were compared with significantly higher levels of cognitive impairment found in radiologist. Conclusions: In our study 24.76% of respondents can be considered in risk of burnout, with highest scores in exhaustion and cognitive impairment dimensions, emotional impairment was relatively lower. Cognitive impairment seems to be more prevalent among radiologist compared to radiology technicians. Higher number of 24-h shifts was associated with higher mental distance scores. The highest Likert scale scores in the author developed exploratory instrument are in visual exhaustion, professional isolation and the feeling of anonymous service.