How to Work Happier

Going into 2025—the 125th anniversary of the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS)—I will be using my remaining InPractice columns as your president to provide more context regarding working happier as a radiologist. Centered in worker voice and equity, the happy radiologist is connected most to a safe and secure community—where everything from mentorship to scheduling works together to help foster a true sense of belonging. Opportunities for learning and accomplishment afford radiologists a dignity and meaning beyond our workstations, too.But let us start in 2022. I think we can all remember then. In the wake of the COVID pandemic, the United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, released an updated framework for mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, outlining the foundational roles that workplaces must play in promoting health and wellbeing alike in our communities [1]. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was formally recognizing that our health care industries had to start focusing on working well. I want to share an accompanying figure from this federal framework with InPractice readers because it provides a great platform to think about ground-up, actionable initiatives that could work for our own specific radiological workplaces (Fig. 1).

Let’s turn our attention to the right side of this graphic: specifically, making connections and belonging to a community. The first step here is developing a culture. What does your chair or section chief value? What does your CEO treasure? We always talk about mission and vision, and answering these big questions are critically important to those conversations. Personally, I would like to know what my chair and my section value. And what are their goals for my own department? Additionally, what resources are our leaders able to provide to ground us in the institution’s values? 

Lately, I’ve been looking at how the social supports of community are connected to a crucial distinction that the Surgeon General’s chart makes here. At the end of the workday, it’s not really a “balance” between that work and our lives at home. It is much more about work-life “harmony,” which Dr. Murthy’s office also notes is based in autonomy and flexibility.  

When I was in training, we worked from seven to six o’clock, and then, we’d call from six o’clock to the next morning. Our schedule was rigid. It didn’t allow for a family, much less proper family time. During residency, I didn’t even go to the dentist; I simply didn’t have the time! And as a fellow, I remember tearing up when I got home from a RiteAid, of all places. I was crying because I’d never taken enough care of myself to go and buy products. I was just working so hard. 

Given all the types of scheduling we have now, there are such wonderful opportunities with shift work. In January, our group moved to shift-type areas, where some people arrive at noon, some people come in at 4pm. This flexibility has provided a lot of satisfaction for our group, as directors have empowered us to choose the shifts that best fit our lives at that moment. 

Moving clockwise, you’ll notice another essential element of working happier. Everyone reading this piece right now is a leader, or a valued member of a group with a leader at the helm. So, how do good leaders accommodate the group’s varied interests, while making individuals feel that they matter? In an academic setting, we can further foster flexibility with research and education, especially subspecialty experience. As you know, data have come out noting that if only 20% of your workday is spent doing something you like, you will be a much happier worker. 

For me, my happiness at work is temporal bone. When I see a temporal bone case, I just start smiling because it brings me such great joy. Of course, our colleagues are happier when they’re reading cases that spark joy, so until next time, let’s really think about related worklist opportunities. I’ve seen some creative solutions in which worklists are done not by modality, but by image or imaging interests. Overall, reported happiness is much higher.

References

U.S. Surgeon General Releases New Framework for Mental Health & Well-Being in the Workplace. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website. www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/10/20/us-surgeon-general-releases-new-framework-mental-health-well-being-workplace.html. Published October 20, 2022. Accessed November 8, 2024