Half of physicians dissatisfied

Editor's Note

A new survey by The Physicians Foundation finds that half of physicians have reached a tipping point and plan to retire, cut back on work hours, or seek nonclinical roles.

Physicians identified regulatory/paperwork burdens and loss of autonomy as the primary sources of their dissatisfaction. Nearly 60% say passage of the Affordable Care Act has made them less positive about the future of healthcare in America.

Respondents say they spend more than 22% of their time on nonclinical paperwork, and only 14% say they have the time they need to provide the highest standards of patient care. About two-thirds (72%) say third-party intrusions detract from the quality of care.

The survey was sent to about 630,000 physicians, and 13,575 responded.