Physician burnout by specialty 2024: Navigating stress in the healthcare industry

After several years of escalation, physician burnout rates are finally easing — but while some older stressors are receding, new ones are rising to take their place.

Burnout refers to extreme emotional exhaustion and a sense of detachment from one's work, and it's been prevalent across various medical specialties for several years, in particular since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a 2024 report based on a Medscape survey found that physicians self-reported lower rates of both burnout and depression for the first time since 2020. In 2024, 49% of physicians reported burnout, compared to 53% in 2023. And 20% reported depression, compared to 23% in 2023.

The impact of burnout varies across the medical field, with some specialties facing more severe challenges than others. Emergency medicine physicians reported the highest burnout rate at 63% in the 2024 report. Obstetrician gynecology (OB/GYNs) and oncology reported the next-highest rates at 53% each. They were followed closely by pediatrics, family medicine, and radiology at 51% each.

As they have in every year Medscape has conducted the survey, in 2024, female physicians, to use the language from the report, experienced a higher incidence of burnout compared to male physicians, with 56% feeling the strain versus 46% of male physicians. This disparity highlights the need for targeted interventions. The report notes fewer resources for female physicians, fewer women in leadership positions, compensation disparities, and gendered expectations around work-life balance as several of the factors at play.

This data underscores the prevalence of physician burnout, particularly in frontline fields.

Burnout's biggest contributor is too many bureaucratic tasks, according to 62% — a slight increase over the 2023 report numbers. Other top factors physicians cited include too many hours at work (41%), lack of respect from administrators/employees, colleagues, or staff (40%), and insufficient compensation (38%). Note that burnout is related to working conditions and not individual personality traits.

One expert noted that bureaucracy will likely always create barriers to providing care to some degree. However, developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to streamline workflows.

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How can physicians combat common workplace stressors and reduce burnout?

The top workplace measure that would help with burnout is to increase compensation, which 48% of physicians cited in Medscape's report. Higher compensation was followed by more support staff at 47%. However, flexible work schedules was a very close third, with 46% of physicians reporting that would help with their burnout.

Addressing a problem like burnout requires a blend of systemic and personalized interventions. Initiatives like the National Academy of Medicine's National Plan for Health Workforce Well-being and its associated Change Makers Campaign aim to enlist healthcare organizations and government bodies in support of systemic change. However, such change is likely to be slow to have an impact, particularly on a large scale, and the resources devoted to it are at the discretion of those entities.

This could point to independent healthcare practices as a solution.

Tebra's research found that 54% of independent practice owners reported moderate burnout, 19% reported hardly any burnout, and 10% claimed no burnout at all as of 2023. Only 14% reported severe burnout and 3% reported extreme burnout. 

Independent practitioners have greater control over their work schedules — a top factor that physicians say would help reduce burnout — and environment.

Tebra's research shows that, in 2023, 42% of hospital system employees were considering switching to private practice, mostly motivated by their desire for a better work-life balance. According to our findings, physicians working in private practices report less burnout across the board. They are also less concerned with burnout, ranking it (39%) lower than insurance difficulties (46%), the rising cost of healthcare (46%), and competition from larger health organizations (44%).

But what about the top factor physicians say would address burnout: compensation? Self-employed physicians make 11% more on average compared to their employed counterparts, according to Medscape's Physician Compensation Report 2024. The survey defined "self-employed physicians" as owners or partners in solo or group practices.

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Along with flexible schedules and greater compensation, independent practices can support employees by cultivating strong internal relationships and opportunities to innovate.

Medscape’s Self-Employed Physicians Report shows that self-employed respondents value their autonomy above all else (64%), followed by the ability to manage their own workload and productivity (38%). This sentiment is echoed in Tebra's report, The Independent Provider Playbook: 5 Ways to Beat Hospitals and Corporations at Their Own Game. 

The absence of autonomy in task execution and the inability to influence work-related decisions have been linked to increased burnout. When physicians enjoy autonomy and control over their work, burnout rates decrease, and professional fulfillment rates rise.

The transition towards independent practices not only empowers physicians with greater autonomy but also enhances patient care. In environments less constrained by the pressures commonly found in larger healthcare settings, physicians can allocate more time and personalized attention to each patient. This shift towards patient-centered care is a cornerstone for improving patient satisfaction, as independent practitioners are better positioned to forge meaningful relationships with their patients and tailor care to individual needs.

Such an approach not only leads to improved health outcomes but also enriches the patient experience, creating a positive feedback loop that increases job satisfaction among physicians. Witnessing the direct impact of their efforts on patient well-being reinforces the value of their work, offering a powerful antidote to burnout.

As we navigate the challenges posed by physician burnout, especially in high-stress specialties, the adoption of independent practices emerges as a vital strategy for preserving the health and well-being of both providers and patients. Emphasizing autonomy, work-life balance, and patient-centered care not only mitigates burnout but also elevates the standard of healthcare delivery.

For a deeper understanding of how to combat physician burnout and to explore strategies for enhancing patient satisfaction through patient-centered care, check out our comprehensive guide on "Physician Burnout: Consequences, Causes, and Solutions." This resource offers invaluable insights into creating a more fulfilling career in medicine, underscored by the profound impact of personal connections and patient satisfaction on professional fulfillment.

Editor's note: This article was updated in November 2024 to reflect the most recent data.