Background: With nearly half of radiologists reporting burnout, wellness initiatives are vital to improve career fulfillment and work-life balance. With the majority of workdays spent in the reading room, poor design of the workplace environment may contribute to burnout. Additionally, traditional work schedules may unnecessarily limit physicians who prefer more adaptable schedules with hours outside of typical “business hours”. We present reading room design and flexible scheduling options that we have implemented at our institution to improve radiologist wellness and work-life balance.
Learning Objectives: • Discuss reading room design and scheduling factors which contribute to burnout. • Present reading room design ideas aimed to improve the work environment. • Propose flexible scheduling options to optimize work-life balance.
Abstract Content/Results: This is a presentation of wellness initiatives implemented by our institution’s breast imaging department to optimize reading room design and offer individualized scheduling options. Reading room designs include under-desk treadmills/bikes, balance discs, greenery such as plant walls, pink LED backlighting, and varying degrees of privacy within reading rooms. For example, an open concept reading room for consultation and trainee teaching, cubby reading rooms for intermediate privacy, and a separate isolated reading room for tasks that require less distraction. Flexible scheduling options include 8-hour and 12-hour shifts which may occur partly outside of normal business hours. This allows flexibility for school pickup or long weekends off for those who enjoy traveling. Expanding scheduling hours also provides greater flexibility for patients in need of care outside of standard working hours. Additionally, home work stations allow radiologists to conveniently take care of patients in the comfort of their homes, as well as the ability to complete one’s call from home at the radiologist’s convenience.
Conclusion: The reading room environment and radiology schedule are two factors which can either improve a radiologist’s work experience or contribute to burnout. Reading room optimization and flexible scheduling may improve wellbeing and overall work-life balance.
