More than half of US physicians report symptoms of burnout. It's not a personal failing—it's an occupational hazard of a system that demands too much while providing too little support.
If you're reading this, you might be wondering if what you're feeling is burnout, and what you can do about it.
What Is Physician Burnout?
Burnout is characterized by three components:
- Emotional exhaustion - Feeling drained, depleted, fatigued
- Depersonalization - Cynicism, detachment from patients and colleagues
- Reduced sense of accomplishment - Feeling ineffective, questioning your impact
It's different from depression (though they can co-occur). Burnout is specifically tied to work; depression permeates all aspects of life.
Warning Signs
Emotional Signs
- Dreading going to work
- Feeling indifferent about patient outcomes
- Irritability with staff, colleagues, family
- Difficulty finding joy in previously enjoyable activities
- Feeling trapped or hopeless about your career
Physical Signs
- Chronic fatigue that sleep doesn't fix
- Frequent headaches or muscle tension
- Sleep disturbances
- Getting sick more often
- Changes in appetite or weight
Behavioral Signs
- Increased alcohol or substance use
- Isolating from colleagues and friends
- Cutting corners on documentation or care
- Showing up late, leaving early
- Fantasizing about quitting
Cognitive Signs
- Difficulty concentrating
- Making more errors
- Trouble making decisions
- Negative self-talk
- Thoughts of self-harm (seek help immediately)
What Causes Physician Burnout?
Research consistently identifies these systemic factors:
- Administrative burden - EHR, prior authorizations, documentation
- Loss of autonomy - Productivity metrics, standardized care
- Work-life imbalance - Long hours, call schedules, work creep
- Moral injury - Inability to provide care you know patients need
- Lack of control - Decisions made without physician input
- Insufficient support - Inadequate staffing, resources
- Cultural factors - "Suck it up" mentality, stigma around help-seeking
Notice what's NOT on this list: being "weak" or "not cut out for medicine."
Recovery Strategies
Individual Strategies
Set Boundaries
- Protect your non-work time fiercely
- Don't check work email at home
- Learn to say no to optional commitments
- Take your vacation days (all of them)
Prioritize Physical Health
- Exercise (even 20 minutes helps)
- Sleep (7-8 hours is non-negotiable)
- Nutrition (meal prep saves time and improves energy)
- Limit alcohol and caffeine
Seek Connection
- Talk to trusted colleagues
- Join physician wellness groups
- Maintain relationships outside medicine
- Consider therapy (many options for physician-specific care)
Rediscover Meaning
- Recall why you entered medicine
- Focus on patient stories, not just charts
- Engage in teaching or mentorship
- Volunteer in a setting different from your day job
Practical Efficiency
- Learn EHR shortcuts
- Use templates and macros
- Dictation can save hours
- Delegate what can be delegated
Organizational Strategies
If possible, advocate for:
- Reduced documentation burden
- Adequate staffing
- Physician input in decisions
- Wellness programs that address root causes (not pizza parties)
- Protected time for administrative tasks
When Individual Strategies Aren't Enough
Sometimes the job itself is the problem. No amount of yoga or meditation can fix:
- Toxic leadership
- Unsafe patient volumes
- Unsupportive colleagues
- Fundamentally misaligned values
Signs It Might Be Time to Leave
- You've tried multiple recovery strategies without improvement
- Your physical or mental health is significantly impacted
- You're making errors that concern you
- The organization shows no willingness to change
- You've lost the ability to care about your work
Career Change Options
If you're burnt out, consider:
- Same specialty, different setting
- Academic to private - Large group to small group - Clinical to administrative/consulting
- Reduced clinical time
- Add non-clinical work (consulting, teaching, expert witness) - Telemedicine for flexibility
- Different specialty (with additional training)
- Non-clinical careers
- Medical writing - Healthcare consulting - Health tech - Medical education - Expert witness work - Physician coaching
- Locum tenens
- Try different settings - Reduce commitment while exploring options
Getting Help
If you're struggling:
- Physician Support Line (free, confidential): 1-888-409-0141
- Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation: drlornabreen.org
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
- Your state physician health program: Confidential support
There is no shame in seeking help. In fact, it's one of the bravest things you can do.
Moving Forward
Burnout is not your fault, but recovery is your responsibility. You deserve a career that sustains you, not one that depletes you.
Sometimes that means changing how you work. Sometimes it means changing where you work. And sometimes it means changing what work you do.
All of these are valid paths. The only wrong choice is suffering in silence.
Ready to explore new opportunities? Browse physician jobs that might be a better fit, or check out our resources on career transitions.