Efficiency of a preventive work model for CT and MRI diagnostic physicians

Introduction. The professional activity of diagnostic physicians in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) departments is characterized by chronic exposure to static, sensory, and psychoemotional loads, which creates a high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders, visual fatigue, and burnout syndrome.

The study aims to evaluate the clinical, psychophysiological, and economic efficiency of a developed organizational-preventive work model based on the integration of regulated breaks with therapeutic exercise elements into the work process of CT and MRI diagnostic physicians.

Materials and methods. A prospective controlled before-and-after study included 52 diagnostic physicians from CT and MRI departments of two multidisciplinary hospitals (mean age 39.2±6.8 years; work experience 11.4±6.1 years). The researchers have introduced mandatory 10-minute organizational and technological breaks at the workplace every 1.5 hours with a set of therapeutic exercises for the cervical spine and gymnastics for the eyes. The follow-up period was 12 months. Assessment included questionnaires (Visual Analogue Scale — VAS, Modified Fatigue Symptom Inventory — MFSI-SM, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index — PSQI-R), psychophysiological testing (computer test "Number-Letter Combinations"), analysis of production indicators (equipment load, timing, error rate), and correlation analysis.

Results. After 12 months of implementing the model, the researchers have recorded a significant decrease in pain intensity: in the neck/shoulders — from 6.1±1.7 to 3.2±1.3 points according to VAS (≈47.5%; p<0.001), in the lower back — from 5.9±1.9 to 3.3±1.4 points (≈44.1%; p<0.001). The severity of asthenia on the MFSI-SM scale decreased by 43.5% (p<0.001), the global PSQI sleep quality index improved by 34.5% (p<0.001). The attention efficiency coefficient (Ke) increased by 25.3% (p<0.001). A moderate inverse correlation was found between the reduction of neck pain and the increase in Ke (r=–0.49; p=0.002). Production indicators: average daily equipment load increased by 17.3% (from 9.8±1.1 to 11.5±1.3 examinations per day; p<0.001), the average time for reporting one examination decreased by 9.2% (p=0.009), and the number of identified discrepancies in reports decreased by 33.3% (p=0.01).

Limitations. The limited sample size does not provide sufficient statistical power for the unconditional dissemination of conclusions to the entire set of diagnostic specialists. The long period of observation required constant administrative support to ensure compliance with the rules of preventive breaks, which may make it difficult to reproduce the model in conditions of limited human resources.

Conclusion. The developed organizational-preventive model demonstrated high comprehensive efficiency, providing a synergistic effect: a significant improvement in the somatic and psychoemotional health of diagnostic physicians is accompanied by increased labor productivity and diagnostic quality without increasing staff numbers. The model is recommended for implementation in specialized radiology departments.

Ethics. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the Medical Biotechnological University of Innovations and Continuing Education of the State Research Center – Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center of the Federal Medical Biological Agency of Russia. (Protocol No. 127 dated October 17, 2025). All participants signed informed consent.

Contributions:
Bushmanov A.Y. — concept and design of the study, approval of the final version of the article;
Titova N.A. — collection, instrumental measurements, statistical processing, approval of the final version of the article;
Karimova D.Y. — data analysis and interpretation, text writing, literature review, approval of the final version of the article.

Acknowledgement. The authors thank the clinic staff for their assistance in conducting the research.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: 01.04.2026 / Accepted: 15.04.2026 / Published: 27.06.2026

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