I wish I could tell you that by 2026, physician burnout was behind us.
That we learned the right lessons.
That COVID forced medicine to finally change in lasting ways.
But if you’re practicing right now, you already know that isn’t true.
Burnout didn’t go away. It just became quieter, more contained, and more socially acceptable. In some ways, that makes it harder to see—and harder to address.
Burnout looks different now, but it hasn’t disappeared
During the pandemic, burnout was obvious. People left medicine publicly. Others cried in stairwells, reduced hours, or walked away entirely.
By 2024 and 2025, the headlines shifted. Burnout rates were “improving.” Resilience initiatives were “working.” And to be fair, some data supports that. National studies show burnout has fallen from pandemic highs of over 60% in 2021 to the low-40% range by 2024–2025.
But “less bad” is not the same as healthy.
Nearly half of physicians still report emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, or a reduced sense of accomplishment.
Many physicians still love what they do—they just can’t keep doing it at this pace.
That distinction matters. Most of us haven’t fallen out of love with medicine. We’ve fallen out of love with how medicine is currently practiced.
Who continues to struggle the most
Burnout has never been evenly distributed. Primary care, emergency medicine, psychiatry, OB-GYN, and hospital medicine continue to report some of the highest rates.
Women physicians still experience higher burnout and greater work–life conflict.
Early-career physicians are entering a system that’s already strained, while many mid-career doctors are quietly asking themselves how much longer this is sustainable. Not dramatically. Just privately, often late at night.
What’s still driving burnout in 2026
We’ve studied burnout for over a decade. The causes are not mysterious.
Administrative overload remains a major factor. Documentation, inbox messages, quality metrics, prior authorizations, and after-hours charting continue to dominate physicians’ time.
Even newer AI documentation tools haven’t consistently reduced cognitive load. In some cases, they’ve added to it.
Loss of autonomy also continues to erode job satisfaction. More physicians are employed than ever before, often working under rigid schedules, productivity targets, and limited decision-making authority.
And then there’s moral injury—the distress that comes from being unable to provide the care you know your patients need. Rushed visits, unsafe discharges, and denied treatments leave a lasting impact.
Why wellness programs haven’t been enough
Most health systems now offer some version of wellness: apps, mindfulness modules, yoga sessions, or webinars. These can help—but only to a point.
Research consistently shows that individual-focused interventions have limited long-term impact when organizational stressors remain unchanged.
Burnout isn’t a breathing problem. It’s a systems problem.
Signs of real, if uneven, progress
There are areas where things are improving. Some organizations are taking meaningful steps to reduce clerical burden and improve workflows.
Peer support programs are expanding and have been shown to reduce isolation and distress.
When implemented thoughtfully, better EHR design and ambient documentation can reduce cognitive load.
Progress is real—but inconsistent.
Why burnout still matters
Burnout isn’t just about morale. It affects patient safety, workforce stability, and physicians’ personal health.
It’s associated with higher medical error rates, early retirement, reduced clinical hours, depression, substance use, and suicidal ideation.
This isn’t a “soft” issue. It’s a public health issue.
What physicians actually want
Physicians want to feel heard, respected, and trusted. They want meaningful control over their work and connection with peers who understand the realities of medical practice.
Not another slogan. Not another webinar.
Why connection still matters
Burnout thrives in isolation. Social support and peer connection remain among the strongest protective factors.
Most physicians don’t leave because of one bad day. They leave after hundreds of lonely ones.
A personal word
If you’re struggling right now, please hear this: you are not broken. You are responding normally to a system that has asked too much for too long.
At Physicians Anonymous, we run confidential, physician-only peer support groups where you can speak openly without judgment, documentation, or professional consequences.
If that kind of space feels helpful, you’re welcome to join us.
Medicine will not heal itself by exhausting its healers.
And neither should you. We are here to help.
