New research investigates whether pet ownership can mitigate burnout in radiologists and radiographers.

Like many healthcare professionals, radiologists and radiographers face mounting workloads, long hours, and high stress situations. This demanding environment, amplified by the Covid-19 pandemic, has resulted in significant burnout amongst this population, with knock-on consequences for patients. For this reason, Hungarian researchers recently investigated factors influencing burnout in radiologists and radiographers, including the role of pets.

Medical burnout

Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion as a result of long-term job stress. It is characterised by emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and reduced personal accomplishment which results in poorer job performance. The study used the Maslach Burnout Inventory to measure burnout in 406 radiologists and radiographers.

The results of the survey revealed that participants experienced high levels of emotional exhaustion, with more than half reporting severe emotional exhaustion. Personal accomplishment scores also indicated significant stress, with nearly half feeling low in this domain. Those working over 40 hours weekly, experienced elevated burnout.

Pet protection

Demographic factors influencing participants’ burnout levels included gender, with men having higher depersonalisation scores. The absence of children in family dynamics was linked to higher burnout across all dimensions, highlighting the potential emotional support and stability children can provide.

A significant impact of pet ownership was also observed across all dimensions of burnout. The effect was especially apparent for dog owners, suggesting that the companionship and routine provided by dogs can alleviate stress and emotional fatigue. However, it should be recognised that people who choose to have children or pets may be different from those who do not in other ways too.

Work implications

The researchers put forward a number of reasons that pets might be effective at mitigating burnout. Dogs in particular promote physical activity, such as dog walking, which has been linked to a number of mental health benefits. The companionship and routine pets provide has also been demonstrated to have a positive impact on our wellbeing.

The findings suggest that incorporating pets or pet-friendly policies could be a valuable intervention in healthcare settings. Initiatives like pet therapy programs or allowing employees to bring their pets to work could foster a supportive and stress-relieving atmosphere, potentially reducing burnout.

Final thoughts

The best way to reduce employee burnout is still by addressing the root cause of the problem, however, the study’s findings suggest that pets can play an important role in reducing stress and mitigating burnout. For this reason, employers should consider adopting pet friendly policies and facilitating pet ownership among their employees. As the healthcare industry continues to navigate the challenges of post-pandemic recovery, such innovative approaches may prove essential in maintaining the wellbeing of frontline healthcare professionals.

Key study findings:

• Participants reported high levels of emotional exhaustion
• Participants working over 40 hours weekly experienced elevated burnout
• Men experienced higher depersonalisation
• Children and pets protected against burnout