Physicians' happiness fell amid the pandemic and is not rebounding easily, according to Medscape's 2023 Physician Lifestyle and Happiness Report.
The report is based on survey responses from 9,175 U.S.-based physicians in 29 specialties polled last year between June 28 and Oct. 3.
Four report findings:
1. Fifty-nine percent of physicians said they were "somewhat" or "very happy," down from 84 percent before the pandemic. These figures mirror percentages seen in Medscape's same report conducted last year.
2. The percentage of physicians who are happy at work, specifically, fell from 75 percent before the pandemic to 48 percent today.
3. Four in 10 physicians said they regularly look after their own health and wellness, up from 33 percent who said the same in Medscape's 2022 report.
4. Fifty-three percent said they would take a pay decrease in return for better work-life balance.
View the full report here.