Burnout Syndrome and The Impact on Radiologic Technologists

LaKeidra Taylor Bell, MSRS, RT(R)

^*Senior Clinical Coordinator and Didactic Faculty, Baton Rouge General Medical Center, School of Radiologic Technology, Baton Rouge, LA.

Address correspondence to: LaKeidra Taylor Bell, MSRS, RT(R), Baton Rouge General School of Radiology, 3616 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. E-mail: Lakeidra.taylorbell@brgeneral.org.

Disclosure Statement: The author reports having no significant financial or advisory relationships with corporate organizations related to this activity.

  ABSTRACT

The majority of professions in the healthcare industry, as well as those that revolve around providing care in general, are typically subject to a great deal of stress and anxiety, which often results in employee burnout. Burnout syndrome encompasses a variety of mental and emotional characteristics, which may eventually lead to the employee withdrawing from their work environment and from those to whom they provide care. Individuals may also experience a lack of empathy, increased hostility, which sometimes leads to resignation. Given the fast pace and workload of today's imaging facilities or radiology departments, radiologic technologists (RTs) also suffer from burnout in large numbers. RTs who are affected by burnout also affect their coworkers, other staff members, as well as the patients they work with and treat. Being able to recognize the symptoms of burnout and work within themselves to address it can benefit not just the individual but the entire healthcare team. This course will define and discuss various aspects of burnout syndrome, and how they impact not only the RT but also the radiologist and other healthcare team members. It will also address how different personality traits and personal circumstances may lead individuals to experience burnout more readily than others. Finally, healthy coping strategies and ways to remedy or prevent burnout all together will be outlined.