In 2025, 28% of physicians report thinking about leaving the medical profession at least once a week, a 22% decrease from 2024, according to Athenahealth’s 2025 Physician Sentiment Survey.
The Harris Poll surveyed 1,001 physicians — consisting of 750 primary care providers and 251 specialists — from Jan. 2 to Jan. 15.
Here are five things to know:
1. Sixty-eight percent of physicians said they look forward to coming to work at least once per week.
2. Only 29% of respondents said they feel optimistic about the future of healthcare in the U.S.
3. About 51% of physicians believe they have adequate time to spend with their patients, up from 43% in 2024.
4. Just over a third of physicians (35%) in 2025 report feeling unable to provide quality care due to patient volume at least once a week, a notable decrease from 50% in 2024.
5. Fifty-nine percent of physicians in small practices are satisfied with their organization’s efforts to reduce burnout, compared to just 39% of physicians in medium to large practices.
