Why Physician Burnout Isn’t Just About Long Hours
Burnout among U.S. physicians has long been a pressing issue — but a groundbreaking study published in JAMA Internal Medicine on May 14, 2025, uncovers a lesser-discussed cause: staffing shortages and incomplete clinical team staffing. According to the national study, nearly half of U.S. physicians work without fully staffed teams more than 25% of the time, and these staffing shortages have direct consequences on physician well-being and patient care.
What the 2025 Study Reveals About Incomplete Staffing
Conducted by Dr. Lisa S. Rotenstein of UCSF, the study surveyed 970 physicians across 15 major health systems using 2023 data. Key findings include:
- 9% of physicians reported working without their full support team more than a quarter of the time.
- Burnout affected 1% of these physicians, compared to 35.8% of those with complete teams.
- 2% planned to reduce their clinical hours, and 18.1% intended to leave their positions within two years.
Tip: What’s driving physicians out of clinical care? This study suggests it’s not just long hours — it’s the missing people around them.
Which Specialties Are Most Affected?
Staffing shortages aren’t evenly spread across the healthcare system. The study found that incomplete staffing was most common in:
- Radiology
- Anesthesiology
- Pathology
In these specialties, over 62% of physicians reported working without a full team regularly. Even in primary care, the rate stood at 44.8%, highlighting how widespread the issue has become.
The Domino Effect: Burnout, Turnover, and Systemic Costs
Burnout doesn’t just hurt the individual physician — it ripples through the entire health system. Emotional exhaustion leads to:
- Decreased patient satisfaction
- Lower continuity of care
- Increased administrative errors
- Higher turnover rates
Studies have estimated the financial cost of burnout-related turnover to exceed $100,000 per physician, not including the broader impact on patient care and remaining staff morale.
Why Full Staffing Is Not a Luxury — It’s a Necessity
The study’s multivariable analysis showed that working without a full team more than doubles the odds of physician burnout. It underscores a simple but powerful truth: Physicians can’t thrive in isolation. Medical assistants, nurses, and administrative staff aren’t optional — they are the foundation of sustainable, high-quality care.
What Needs to Change? A Call for Action
The authors stress the need for evidence-based interventions that support sustainable staffing models. This may include:
- Redesigning team workflows
- Investing in hiring and retaining support staff
- Rethinking productivity metrics that rely on lean staffing
- Supporting well-being initiatives that target team-based care environments
Time to Rebuild the Healthcare Workforce from the Ground Up
This isn’t just a staffing issue — it’s a system stability issue. Ensuring physicians have complete teams is essential not only for their mental health but also for the overall quality and continuity of care. As we move deeper into 2025, the data makes one thing clear: staffing up is no longer optional — it’s urgent. That means investing not only in physicians but also in skilled support roles like nurses, medical assistants, and administrators. If you’re exploring how to build stronger clinical teams, it’s worth understanding What Are the Most In-Demand Nursing Specialties? — these roles are critical to filling the gaps and sustaining frontline care.
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