October 2006

Survey shows MDs are discouraged

Nearly 60 percent of the 1,205 physicians who participated in the 2006 American College of Physician Executives’ Physician Morale Survey said they have considered leaving the practice of medicine altogether because they’re discouraged over the state of U.S. healthcare today.

The survey also found that almost 70 percent said they actually knew of at least one doctor who stopped practicing medicine due to low morale. The top five factors contributing to low morale were identified by the survey respondents as:

How is low morale affecting physicians? The survey found that 77 percent of the doctors listed fatigue as the number one problem, and emotional burnout, 66 percent, a close second.

The survey findings are being reported in the November/December issue of The Physician Executive Journal of Medical Management.

Source: American College of Physician Executives, www.acpe.org