Physician wellness is the physical, mental, and professional health of doctors, plus the work systems that protect it. In 2025, 41.9% of US physicians reported at least one burnout symptom, down from 43.2% in 2024 and 48.2% in 2023. Evidence suggests that changing the workplace helps more than teaching doctors to cope.
This guide explains the numbers, the programs, the conferences, and the support options. It also clears up a common mix up with patient clinics that share similar names.
What Does Physician Wellness Actually Mean?
Most people hear “wellness” and think of yoga, sleep, and healthy meals. Those matter. But in medicine the term covers much more.
Physician wellness includes emotional health, physical health, and a sense of purpose at work. It also covers whether the job itself is sustainable. A doctor can exercise daily and still be worn down by a broken schedule.
Why Wellness Is Not Just Self Care
Self care puts the responsibility on the individual. That framing has drawn criticism from physicians for years, and the research supports the concern.
Wellness has two layers. One is personal: sleep, relationships, mental health care, and boundaries. The other is organizational: workload, staffing, technology, and leadership. Both count, but they do not carry equal weight, as the evidence section below shows.
How Wellness Differs From Burnout
Burnout is a work related syndrome, not a personal weakness. It is usually described through three features: emotional exhaustion, cynicism or detachment from work, and a reduced sense of accomplishment. The World Health Organization treats it as an occupational phenomenon rather than a medical condition.
Wellness is the wider goal. Burnout is one of the main threats to it. Depression, anxiety, substance use, and chronic illness are separate concerns that can overlap with burnout but need their own care.
See More: Environmental Wellness Definition
How Common Is Physician Burnout in 2026?
The most recent national figures come from the American Medical Association (AMA). They draw on nearly 19,000 physician responses across 38 states and 106 health systems that took part in the AMA Organizational Biopsy.
The trend is encouraging. Burnout has now declined for three years in a row. The AMA described the 2024 level as the lowest since before the COVID 19 public health emergency.
| Year | Physicians Reporting at Least One Burnout Symptom |
| 2023 | 48.2% |
| 2024 | 43.2% |
| 2025 | 41.9% |
Burnout is not the only measure. The AMA tracks five indicators: burnout, job stress, job satisfaction, intent to leave, and feeling valued by the organization. Four of the five improved significantly from 2024 to 2025.
Which Specialties Report the Most Burnout?
The national average hides large gaps. Emergency medicine had the highest rate at 49.8%, followed by urological surgery at 49.5% and hematology and oncology at 49.3%.
The lowest rates appeared in different fields. The table below shows both ends of the range.
| Specialty | Burnout Rate in 2025 | Position |
| Emergency medicine | 49.8% | Highest |
| Urological surgery | 49.5% | Highest |
| Hematology and oncology | 49.3% | Highest |
| Obstetrics and gynecology | 45.7% | Higher than average |
| Family medicine | 45% | Higher than average |
| Dermatology | 31.5% | Lower |
| Nephrology | 29.3% | Lower |
| Pathology | 28.3% | Lower |
| Ophthalmology | 25.8% | Lower |
| Infectious diseases | 23.3% | Lowest |
Why the gap? Reporting points to differences in workload, administrative burden, clinical environment, staffing support, and daily practice realities. In other words, the specialty matters less than the conditions around it.
Why Do Midcareer Physicians Struggle the Most?
Career stage shows a clear pattern. Midcareer physicians reported the highest burnout and job stress, and the lowest satisfaction and sense of being valued.
| Years Since Residency | Burnout Rate in 2025 |
| 1 to 5 years | 40.8% |
| 6 to 10 years | 48.8% |
| 11 to 15 years | 46.9% |
| 16 to 20 years | 45.4% |
| 20 or more years | 35.8% |
The data do not explain why. A reasonable guess is that this stage often combines heavy clinical loads, family demands, and growing leadership duties. But that is an interpretation, not a finding from the survey.
How Should You Read These Numbers?
Two cautions apply. First, the figures come from organizations that chose to participate in the AMA survey. They are a large sample, but not a random sample of every US doctor.
Second, “at least one symptom of burnout” is a broad threshold. It does not mean 42% of doctors are unable to work. Still, it signals real strain across the profession, and the variation between specialties is hard to ignore.
If Not a Lack of Resilience, What Causes Burnout?
The research increasingly points to the work environment. The main drivers named in current reporting include workload, administrative tasks, staffing, and technology.
Electronic health records (EHRs) come up often. Health systems continue to struggle with clinician turnover, driven largely by burnout and frustration with EHRs.
Leadership matters too. The AMA’s 2025 report highlights emerging insights on trust in leadership and on the role of AI scribes as drivers of wellbeing.
Common drivers include:
- Heavy documentation and inbox demands
- Short staffing and limited support teams
- Little control over schedules
- Low trust in leadership
- Feeling undervalued by the organization
Notice that most items on this list sit outside a physician’s personal control. That is why the next question matters.
Do Physician Wellness Programs Actually Work?
Yes, but the type of program makes a big difference. The best known evidence comes from a 2017 meta analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
It reviewed randomized trials and controlled before and after studies of interventions targeting physician burnout. It included 20 comparisons from 19 studies covering 1,550 physicians.
The overall effect was real but modest. Interventions produced small significant reductions in burnout, about a 3 point drop on the emotional exhaustion scale beyond what control groups saw.
Individual Programs vs Organizational Changes
The split between program types is the key finding.
| Type of Intervention | Effect Size (SMD) | What It Usually Involves |
| Organization directed | −0.45 | Workflow, scheduling, teamwork, workload changes |
| Physician directed | −0.18 | Mindfulness, stress management, coaching, skills training |
The authors concluded that results may improve with organization directed approaches. They said this supports viewing burnout as a problem of the whole health care organization, not of individuals.
A separate meta analysis reached a similar conclusion. It found that organization directed interventions reduced burnout more, and improved depersonalization and personal accomplishment more than physician directed ones.
This does not mean personal strategies are useless. It means they work best as a supplement, not a substitute for fixing the job.
What Does Organizational Change Look Like in Practice?
Real examples help. Health systems recognized by the AMA describe a mix of tools.
- South Shore Health uses confidential peer support, regular burnout assessments, and AI powered medical scribes to ease documentation burdens.
- Mercy deployed an AI documentation tool, expanded peer support and mental health resources, and surveys physicians annually with the AMA Mini Z survey.
- Sutter Health’s team models use medical assistants as chaperones, scribes, and procedure aids so doctors can spend more time with patients.
Scribes deserve a note of realism. AMA coverage reported that virtual scribes cut physician EHR burdens by 16%. That is meaningful, but it is one tool, not a cure.
What Is the AMA Doing About Physician Wellness?
The AMA runs several programs that show up often in searches for “AMA physician wellness.”
The first is the Organizational Biopsy, the survey behind the national numbers above. The second is the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program.
How Does Joy in Medicine Recognition Work?
Joy in Medicine recognizes health systems that take documented steps to reduce burnout. There are three levels, gold, silver, and bronze, and recognition lasts two years.
The program is built on six pillars: assessment, commitment, efficiency of practice environment, leadership, teamwork, and support.
The scale has grown. The AMA named 109 organizations in 2025, bringing the currently recognized group to 164. More than 200 organizations have been honored since 2019. The 2026 recognized organizations are due to be announced in fall 2026.
For physicians choosing an employer, the recognition list is a useful starting filter. It is not a guarantee of daily experience, so ask current staff too.
Where Can Leaders Find AMA Tools?
The AMA offers a Well-being Toolkit where health systems can explore strategies and calculate the cost of physician burnout to their organization. Leaders who need budget support often start with that calculator.
Which Physician Wellness Conferences Are Happening in 2026?
Several well known events fall in 2026. Because today is October 7, 2026, some have already taken place.
| Event | Date and Place | Status Today |
| International Conference on Physician Health | September 28 to 30, 2026, London | Completed |
| AHN Physicians’ Wellness Conference | September 18, 2026, Pittsburgh | Completed |
| Women Physicians Wellness Connect Conference | October 8 to 10, 2026, Omni Amelia Island Resort, Florida | Starts tomorrow |
| CFPC Physician Wellness Retreat | May 21 to 24, 2026, Kananaskis, Alberta | Completed (Canada) |
| Canyon Ranch wellness CME, Tucson and Lenox | Listed from January 1 to December 31, 2026 | Ongoing listing |
What Is the International Conference on Physician Health?
This is the largest event on the list. It is a biennial scientific conference co sponsored by the Canadian, British, and American medical associations.
The 2026 theme was moving from insight to impact, with sustainable strategies for a healthy and fulfilling medical career. The British Medical Association president wrote about it on September 29, noting it was the first in person London gathering since 2014.
Topics included leadership and culture, global policy, and the experiences of doctors living with illness or disability, which the organizers say are overlooked.
What Does the AHN Conference Cover?
The AHN conference, hosted by Allegheny Health Network, took place on September 18, 2026, with an attending physician fee of $200. Its sessions included nutrition and wellness for busy physicians and the importance of organized medicine for physician wellness.
A related event, the AHN Women Physician’s Wellness Conference, focuses on gender gaps in leadership, compensation, and wellness support.
Is There Anything Happening Soon?
Yes. The Women Physicians Wellness Connect Conference runs October 8 to 10, 2026, and offers up to 18 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits. Registration may be limited this close to the date, so check availability directly.
What About 2027?
I could not find verified dates for a Physician Wellness Conference in 2027. If you see one advertised, check the organizer’s official site and the accrediting body before booking.
One forward looking detail is available. A third party listing shows the next International Conference on Physician Health as 2028, with the location marked as the United States and date to be determined. Treat that as preliminary until the AMA confirms it.
See More: Wellness Tips
Are Physician Wellness Retreats and CME Courses Worth the Cost?
It depends on what you want. Retreats offer time away and peer connection. CME courses add credit and structure. Some do both.
What Does a Retreat Look Like?
The CFPC example gives a clear picture. It aims to give physicians an environment to learn and apply wellness principles, and it covers both individual practices and family physician leaders in wellness.
That mix of personal and leadership content is a good sign. Programs that only teach coping skills miss half the evidence.
Can Wellness Education Earn CME Credit?
Often yes. The University of Arizona College of Medicine OCME lists a Canyon Ranch program in Tucson worth 40 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. A matching program is listed for Lenox, Massachusetts. The listings describe it as covering nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep.
Free options exist as well. Valley Children’s offered a free virtual lunch and learn on physician wellness in February 2026. Check whether your hospital runs a similar series.
How Can You Judge a Wellness Program Before Paying?
Ask a few direct questions:
- Who accredits the CME, and how many credits are offered?
- Does the agenda address systems and leadership, or only personal coping?
- Who are the speakers, and what are their credentials?
- Does the registration fee match what is included?
- Could your CME allowance or employer cover it?
A strong agenda blends personal tools with workplace change.
How Are Women Physicians Included in Wellness Efforts?
Several conferences focus on women physicians. The AHN event notes that women physicians often face higher burnout, limited mentorship, and systemic barriers to advancement.
The Women Physicians Wellness Connect Conference brings women speakers on leadership, career development, and self care together. I did not find gender specific burnout figures in the sources reviewed here. The AMA report does cover gender, so readers who need those numbers should consult it directly.
What Can an Individual Physician Do This Month?
Systems matter most, but you still live inside your own schedule. These steps are modest and realistic.
- Measure your baseline. A short validated tool, such as the Mini Z survey that Mercy uses, gives a starting point. Ask your employer whether one is already in use.
- Name your biggest drain. Is it the inbox, the schedule, or a team problem? A specific problem is easier to raise than general exhaustion.
- Bring one concrete request to leadership. Examples include protected documentation time or better scribe support.
- Build in one real recovery habit. Sleep and time with people you trust have the strongest common sense case.
- Connect with peers. Peer support is a recurring feature in health systems that earn AMA recognition.
- Consider a coach or counselor. Physician wellness coaches exist, and quality varies. I did not find strong trial evidence for coaching in the sources reviewed, so check training and credentials.
Small steps will not fix a broken system. But they can protect you while you push for larger change.
Where Can Physicians Get Help When It Is More Than Burnout?
If you feel hopeless, or are thinking about harming yourself, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. In an emergency, call 911.
Doctors also have profession specific options:
- Physician Support Line: a free, confidential line staffed by volunteer psychiatrists, reachable at 888 409 0141. Confirm hours on its website.
- State physician health programs: most states have one, and they can arrange evaluation and treatment.
- Employee assistance programs: many employers offer confidential counseling at no cost.
- Your own doctor or therapist: having a personal physician is a basic protection.
Many doctors delay care because they fear licensing consequences. Policies vary by state, so review your state board’s current questions before assuming the worst. A professional or attorney familiar with your state can help.
Is Nova Physician Wellness Center a Physician Wellness Program?
No, not based on the public listings reviewed. This is one of the most common mix ups in this keyword group.
Nova Physician Wellness Center appears to be a patient clinic in Northern Virginia, not a program for doctors.
What Do the Listings Show?
One directory lists it as a medical group at 3903 Fair Ridge Dr, Suite 219, Fairfax, VA, specializing in family medicine (nurse practitioner) and obesity medicine. A provider listing also shows Nova Physician Wellness Center offices in Leesburg and Dulles, Virginia.
A WebMD style directory describes the practice as having two locations and shows no patient reviews on that page. I could not verify offices in Tysons, Arlington, Lansdowne, or Vienna. If you need a specific site, call the practice or check its official website.
What About Physicians Premiere Weight & Wellness Center?
This is another patient facing clinic, and it is also unrelated to physician burnout. It describes a medically supervised weight loss program built on medical, nutritional, behavioral, and physical activity components.
Directory listings show locations in Ashburn and Gainesville, Virginia, and a McLean site. Its owner, Dr. Trupti Patel, has said she is board certified in obesity medicine and left primary care to focus on it.
How Should You Treat Reviews and Locations?
Directory pages change often. Confirm addresses, insurance, and hours with the practice before visiting. For reviews, use several sources and read the detail, not just the star rating. Nothing here is a recommendation for or against either clinic.
How Can Health System Leaders Act on This Data?
Leaders have the biggest lever. The evidence is consistent on that point.
A practical sequence looks like this:
- Measure. Use a validated survey and track results by specialty and career stage.
- Listen. The midcareer gap suggests averages hide the people who most need attention.
- Fix workflow. Target documentation, inbox volume, and staffing first.
- Build trust. The AMA’s reporting links trust in leadership to wellbeing.
- Test technology carefully. AI scribes show promise, but results should be tracked, not assumed.
- Benchmark. The AMA’s Joy in Medicine framework offers a structured roadmap.
Treat wellness as a standing operational priority, not a one time event.
What Should You Take Away From All This?
Physician burnout is falling, but it is still high. In 2025, about two in five physicians reported at least one symptom. The rate varies sharply by specialty and career stage.
The best evidence says workplace changes beat personal coping programs alone. Conferences, retreats, and CME can help, especially when they cover leadership and systems. And if you or a colleague is struggling, support exists, from 988 to physician specific lines.
Finally, check the name before you act on it. A “physician wellness center” may be a patient clinic, not a program for doctors.
See More: Social Wellness Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
What is physician wellness?
Physician wellness is the physical, emotional, and professional health of doctors, along with the workplace conditions that support it. It covers burnout prevention, mental health care, and sustainable workloads.
What is the physician burnout rate in 2025?
AMA data show 41.9% of physicians reported at least one burnout symptom in 2025. That is down from 43.2% in 2024 and 48.2% in 2023.
Which specialties have the highest burnout?
Emergency medicine ranked highest at 49.8%, then urological surgery at 49.5% and hematology and oncology at 49.3%. Rates vary by workplace as well as specialty.
Which specialties report the lowest burnout?
Infectious diseases reported 23.3%, ophthalmology 25.8%, and pathology 28.3%. These are the lowest rates in the AMA’s 2025 data as reported.
Are physician burnout surveys reliable?
They are useful but imperfect. The AMA data come from participating health systems, not a random national sample. Validated tools like the Mini Z add consistency, but results still depend on who responds.
Do physician wellness programs reduce burnout?
Yes, modestly. A meta analysis found small significant reductions, and larger gains from organization directed programs than from physician directed ones.
What is the AMA Joy in Medicine program?
It recognizes health systems at gold, silver, or bronze levels for reducing burnout, with recognition lasting two years. It focuses on system level change.
When is the next physician wellness conference?
The Women Physicians Wellness Connect Conference runs October 8 to 10, 2026, in Florida. I found no verified 2027 dates yet.
Is there a physician wellness conference for women?
Yes. AHN held a Women Physician’s Wellness Conference on September 18, 2026. The WPW Connect Conference in Florida also targets women physicians.
Can physician wellness events earn CME credit?
Often, yes. The Florida conference offers up to 18 AMA PRA Category 1 credits. A Canyon Ranch program listing offers 40. Always confirm accreditation.
Is Nova Physician Wellness Center for doctors?
No. Public listings describe it as a Fairfax, Virginia practice offering family medicine and obesity medicine to patients. It does not appear to be a doctor wellness program.
Where can doctors find confidential mental health help?
Start with 988 for crisis support, the Physician Support Line, your state physician health program, or an employee assistance program. A personal therapist is another option.
What is the difference between wellness and burnout?
Burnout is a work related syndrome marked by exhaustion, detachment, and reduced accomplishment. Wellness is the broader state of health and fulfillment that burnout threatens.
