Commensality Initiative: A Survey of Radiologists to Evaluate the Effects of Shared Meals on Burnout and Job Satisfaction
Access to this document is restricted. Some items have been embargoed at the request of the author, but will be made publicly available after the "No Access Until" date.
During the embargo period, you may request access to the item by clicking the link to the restricted file(s) and completing the request form. If we have contact information for a Cornell author, we will contact the author and request permission to provide access. If we do not have contact information for a Cornell author, or the author denies or does not respond to our inquiry, we will not be able to provide access. For more information, review our policies for restricted content.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Commensality, sharing meals, has long been recognized as a catalyst for connection, reflection, and community. In medicine, however, opportunities for communal gathering have diminished. This pilot study evaluated the impact of structured commensality groups on radiologists' well-being, including burnout, job satisfaction, empathy, and sense of connection, and assessed whether these effects persisted after 6 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed to 120 radiologists between September and October 2024 to assess interest in a commensality initiative. Three groups of seven faculty members participated in facilitated shared dinners three times over 6 months, with discussions centered on meaning, appreciation, and interpersonal connection. Identical pre- and postintervention surveys, including validated wellness instruments, assessed career satisfaction, burnout, and empathy. A subset of participants and non-participants completed a follow-up survey at 6 months. RESULTS: 59 radiologists responded to the baseline survey (49%), with 61% (36/59) expressing interest. Those reporting ‚â•1 symptom of burnout were more likely to be interested (83% vs. 65%, p = 0.05). Among participants, burnout scores decreased significantly postintervention (p = 0.023), with directional improvements in career satisfaction and empathy. The proportion denying decreased connection to patients increased from 33% to 65% (p = 0.043). At 6 months, participants continued to endorse the program as valuable (100% vs 76% of non-participants, p = 0.048) and were more likely to express interest in future participation (100% vs. 57%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Facilitated shared meals represent a feasible, low-cost intervention that enhances collegiality, empathy, and community while reducing short-term burnout.