119 - Assessing Burnout and Retention Risk Among Radiation Therapists During Departmental Expansion

03:40pm - 03:50pm ET

Room 109

Presenter(s)

Samantha Webking, MD - Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL

S. Webking¹, J. M. Frakes², T. Kerry³, B. D. Gonzalez⁴, A. Lee³, and S. Hoffe²; ¹Mofitt, Tampa, FL, ²H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Department of Radiation Oncology, Tampa, FL, ³Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, ⁴H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL

Purpose/Objective(s):

Burnout is associated with increased medical errors, emotional exhaustion, and workforce turnover across medicine, including in radiation oncology. Radiation Therapists (RTTs) have direct patient care, yet there are few studies exploring burnout in this frontline group. This study evaluates RTT burnout and retention risk in the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) format during a period of rapid institutional expansion at a high-volume NCI-designated cancer center.

Materials/Methods:

Participation in an IRB-exempt study was offered to RTTs working within the main campus and 4 regional sites via QR code and email. The anonymous survey incorporated domains from the validated Mini-Z burnout assessment tool, which evaluates satisfaction, stress, and burnout along with workplace stressors. Descriptive statistics summarized survey responses, and associations were evaluated using Fisher's Exact test, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Results:

25 RTTs completed the survey: 25/77 (32%). The majority (64%) were 20-40 years old. Experience distribution demonstrated that 36% (9/25) had =2 years of experience as an RTT, 20% (5/25) had 2-5 years, 20% (5/25) had 5-10 years, and 24% (6/25) had >10 years.

Despite 72% reporting satisfaction with their professional role, significant concerns for burnout and negatively impacted wellness were noted. Staffing adequacy received negative ratings, with 48% perceiving inadequate staffing and only 16% rating it positively, with 36% reporting neutrally. Work-related stress affected personal life in 76% of respondents. Self-reported burnout indicators showed 72% experiencing some level of burnout or stress, with 28% reporting moderate-to-severe burnout symptoms. This higher-severity burnout varied significantly by experience (Fisher’s Exact test, p=0.011),being most pronounced among those with 5-10 years of experience (80%), compared with 40% in the 2-5 year group, 11% in =2 years, and none in those with >10 years. The study results highlight turnover concerns as 48% were actively considering leaving within 12 months, and an additional 24% were unsure, yielding a 72% potential turnover risk. Only 20% of RTTs expressed strong intent to remain for two years, while 36% indicated they were unlikely to stay. Intent to leave was highest among those with 2-5 years (80%) and 5-10 years (60%), compared with 33% in =2 year and >10-year groups.

Conclusion:

Retention risk among RTTs is high, with nearly half considering leaving despite overall role satisfaction. This clear disconnect between professional fulfillment and intent to stay poses a serious threat to treatment quality and patient safety. Interventions to optimize staffing, workload redistribution, and targeted wellness programs are indicated. Our first action will be focused discussion with RTT leadership to highlight specific burnout and turnover concerns to establish changes for subsequent study.