Addressing Burnout: A Model-Based Approach

Burnout arises from a diversity of factors that defy easy resolution. With the added pressures of practicing medicine in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is more important than ever for us, as individuals at risk and as providers of vital health care services, to address burnout head on. Valuable insights in the literature about addressing burnout emphasize the importance of committed leadership, identification of its root causes and consequences, and a need to focus on improving the demands and pressures and the overall environment in which people work [ 1 West C.P. Dyrbye L.N. Shanafelt T.D. Physician burnout: contributor, consequences, and solutions. J Intern Med. 2018; 283: 516-529 Crossref PubMed Scopus (517) Google Scholar , 2 West C.P. Dyrbe L. Erwin P. Shanafelt T.D. Interventions to prevent and reduce physician burnout: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2016; 388: 2272-2281 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (787) Google Scholar ]. Understandably, there is much interest in how to systematically approach the mitigation of burnout. We offer a practical, solution-oriented approach based on the Mayo Clinic model that can serve as a guide for individual radiologists and practice leaders to address the many challenges surrounding burnout [ 3 Shanafelt T.D. Noseworthy J.H. Executive leadership and physician well-being: nine organizational strategies to promote engagement and reduce burnout. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017; 92: 129-146 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (557) Google Scholar ].