A common feature of each career path in radiology is the potential for high levels of work-related stress. This was true even before the COVID-19 pandemic put healthcare workers on the front line. A Philips research report showed that in 2019, 44% of U.S. radiologic technologists reported moderate to severe levels of stress, with 36% demonstrating symptoms of professional burnout. Source: Philips, 2019 One potential stressor is the high pace of work that requires care and precision. In a typical day, techs may need to perform a number of physically and mentally demanding tasks dozens of times during a shift, including: Reading medical charts and consulting with doctors to get patients ready for the correct procedures Physically preparing patients for tests, which might involve helping lift and position people with mobility issues Ensuring that safety precautions are in place Administering contrast agents in some patients Explaining procedures before and during tests to reassure anxious patients Carefully noting and recording each image according to best medical practices and strict legal guidelines 80% of U.S. techs and their managers say that they're satisfied, very satisfied, or extremely satisfied with their work. The aging U.S. population will lead to more stress on radiology departments, because seniors typically need more diagnostic imaging than younger patients. However, radiology professionals still report relatively high levels of job satisfaction. The Philips survey notes that 80% of U.S. techs and their managers say that they're satisfied, very satisfied, or extremely satisfied with their work, with the most important factors being good communication and information access among their teams, safe workplace conditions, and the importance of their work in their patients' care.