A Physicians Foundation survey found physician well-being remains "critically low" and physicians said hospital consolidation negatively impacts well-being.
The 2024 Survey of America's Current and Future Physicians surveyed 1,723 physicians, residents and medical students between June 17 and July 16, 2024. Here are the latest numbers about physician well-being:
- For the fourth year in a row, six in 10 physicians and residents, and seven in 10 medical students reported often experiencing burnout.
- The number of physicians who have felt hopeless or that they have no purpose dropped from 35% in 2023 to 30% this year.
- More than half of physicians know of a physician who has ever considered, attempted or died by suicide. Eighteen percent of residents, 22% of students and 12% of physicians have known a peer who considered suicide in the past 12 months.
- Of physicians, 48% said they know a peer who said they would not seek mental health care, compared with 55% of residents and students.
However, there appears to be progress in well-being and mental health for incoming physicians:
- In the past year, 49% of medical students sought medical attention for mental health problems, compared with 33% of residents and 18% of physicians.
- Six in 10 residents feel their residency program prioritizes their well-being, compared to only three in ten physicians having this sentiment with their workplace.
- Four in 10 residents said they had positive feelings about the current state of the medical profession. Their perceptions of the future of the profession are higher with nearly half reflecting positive agreement; meanwhile, only three in 10 physicians share a positive sentiment.
"Even before the pandemic, physician wellbeing was in jeopardy; now, the rapid pace of healthcare consolidation is further deteriorating the practice environment," Gary Price, MD, president of The Physicians Foundation said in a Sept. 17 news release. "As changes to the healthcare landscape increasingly restrict physicians' autonomy to care for their patients, it is imperative that we implement solutions now."
About 30% of physicians and residents have experienced a practice or hospital acquisition over the past five years, and nearly 25% have gone through a merger with another practice or system. Less than 20% of physicians were involved in the decision to consolidate.
At least three out of 10 physicians and residents have experienced acquiring another practice/ hospital over the past five years, and at least one-quarter have gone through a merger with another practice/hospital.
- The negative impacts of mergers/acquisitions include job satisfaction (50%), quality of patient care (36%), independent medical judgment (35%) and patient healthcare costs (30%), physicians said.
- Physicians, residents and medical students identified safeguards that are needed for consolidation included preserving physician autonomy (90%), maintaining patient standards (87%), increasing transparency and disclosure (86%) and assessing long-term impact (84%).
- Only 14% of physicians, 11% of residents and 16% of medical students said private equity funding is good for the future of healthcare.