Purpose: To evaluate factors associated with workplace movement (i.e., those who: left, thinking of leaving, are not thinking of leaving) of practicing breast radiologists.
Materials and Methods: Practicing members of the Society of Breast Imaging were emailed a weblink to IRB-approved surveys in February 2023. Survey included 25 questions about attitudes towards work and whether they had left their last position or were thinking of leaving (or not) their current position.
Results: Response rate was 12% (184/1605) of those who opened the email. A total of 184 radiologists responded. Of those, 9 responded that they had retired over two years ago, leaving 173. Of the 173 respondents, a total of 40 (23%) were thinking of leaving, 50 (29%) left within the last two years, and 83 (48%) were not thinking of leaving nor had left. Of the 173, 83% (143/173) identified as being white with 82% (142) identifying as female, 32% (55) were between 45 or younger, 25% (43) were between 46-55, 28% (48) were between 56-65, and 10% (18) were 65 or older. Of those who left within the last two years, 76% (38/50) started a new position elsewhere in radiology, 14% (7/50) left the workforce altogether, and 2% (1/50) were terminated (4 did not respond). Of those who started a new position in radiology, 53% (20/38) had sought the position out while 40% (15/38) had been actively recruited (3 didn't respond). Of those who left the workforce, five (71%, 5/7) retired. 25 questions were asked concerning various aspect of workplace environment. Of the 25 questions, there were differences between those staying compared with those leaving or thinking of leaving, p<.05. Although there were many differences in response to the 25 questions between those staying and those thinking of leaving or had left, not all issues were considered driving factors as to why someone was considering leaving or had left; of those considered driving forces, they were: 82% (41/50)) “Being able to Maintain Work-life Balance”, 80% (40/50) “Mistreatment by Leadership”, 77% (33/43) “Received Microaggressions”, 67% (20/30) “Mistreatment by Radiologists Peers”, 75% (26/36) “Opportunities/Support for Career Advancement”, 68% (17/25) “Opportunities for Flexible Work Schedule”.
Conclusion: The results show that even though there are many different issues between those staying and those considering leaving or who have left, not all issues are driving forces for why someone would leave.
Clinical Relevance Statement: Practices should focus on work-life balance, treatment by leadership, treatment by other radiologists, and opportunities for flexible schedules
