Here are 10 key insights on why physicians are unhappy with their employment from recent studies and surveys:
1. Bain’s survey highlighted several professional factors with a “disproportionately high potential to delight or disappoint.” For hospital-led practices, critical concerns included compensation, staffing levels, workload, and autonomy.
2. Among physicians in physician-led practices, 78% said their organizations have effective processes and workflows, compared to just 59% of those in hospital-led organizations.
3. Satisfaction with leadership alignment was notably lower in hospital-employed settings, with only about 60% of physicians expressing approval.
4. In physician-led organizations, 81% of physicians reported satisfaction with their involvement in strategic decision-making, compared to just 50% in hospital-led practices.
5. Physicians in physician-led practices were also more likely to report having access to necessary supplies and equipment — 87% compared to 68% in health system-led organizations.
6. More than one-third of academic physicians plan to leave their current institution within the next two years, according to a cross-sectional survey of 18,719 in the role at 15 academic-affiliated health systems. Those planning to exit cited burnout and lack of fulfillment as their primary reasons.
7. Medicus’ 2023 Physician Practice Preference and Relocation Survey found that 29% of surveyed physicians cited compensation as their primary reason for seeking new job opportunities.
8. Practice ownership and governance models are increasingly influencing early-career physicians to leave their first job, according to Jackson Physician Search’s Early-Career Physician Recruiting and Retention Playbook.
9. A study published in JAMA Network Open explored burnout, professional fulfillment and physicians’ intentions to leave their institutions. The study found that a one-point increase in burnout scores raised the risk of leaving by 52%, while a one-point increase in professional fulfillment scores reduced this risk by 36%.
10. Burnout is also driving physicians to retire. According to Medscape’s “Physicians Eye Retirement 2023 Report,” 28% of physicians considering retirement plan to retire in their mid to late 60s. Burnout remains a key factor, with 74% of surveyed physicians citing it as a reason for sticking to their targeted retirement age.
At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.
