New Survey of America’s Physicians Finds Practice Conditions Are Driving Physician Distress

On National Physician Suicide Awareness Day, The Physicians Foundation releases new findings on how practice conditions shape physician wellbeing and brings the healthcare community together to advance systemic solutions.

BOSTON, September 17, 2026 — In recognition of National Physician Suicide Awareness Day, The Physicians Foundation today released findings from its 2026 Survey of America’s Physicians, How Practice Conditions Shape Physician Wellbeing, examining differences in wellbeing by employment setting, gender, age, and geography.

Conducted with Medscape in August 2026 among 1,000 physicians, the survey found that nearly six in 10 physicians (58%) experienced debilitating stress in the past year, with notable differences across physician populations—underscoring that distress is shaped not only by individual experience but also by the conditions in which physicians practice.

Among the findings:

• 67% of employed physicians experienced inappropriate feelings of anger, tearfulness, or anxiety in the past year, compared with 54% of independent physicians.
• 34% of employed physicians cite organizational policies, productivity expectations, or internal pressures that limit clinical autonomy as a contributor to distress—more than twice the share of independent physicians (13%).
• Only 23% of female physicians report either a great deal of or complete control over expected patient volume, compared with 36% of male physicians.

“Physician wellbeing is a reflection of the conditions in which physicians are asked to practice medicine,” said Gary Price, MD, president of The Physicians Foundation. “We have made important progress in reducing barriers to mental health care, but these findings show that we must also address the workplace conditions that contribute to distress in the first place. That means creating practice environments that support physicians’ wellbeing, preserve meaningful autonomy, and ensure they feel valued throughout their careers.”

The path forward requires proactive, system-level action to protect physician wellbeing, reduce the risk of tragic outcomes, and sustain a healthy, effective healthcare workforce. Together, The Physicians Foundation and the Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation are calling on healthcare leaders and stakeholders to advance systemic solutions that reduce administrative burden, ensure physicians can access mental health care without fear of professional repercussions, and foster workplace cultures where seeking help is supported rather than stigmatized.

Explore the full survey findings here.

Creating a Culture of Wellbeing

Throughout September, NPSA Day Supporting Organizations are hosting wellbeing events for physicians, healthcare organizations, and others to take action through educational programs, peer support, CME opportunities, and other physician wellbeing activities.

Despite progress in reducing barriers to mental health care, significant challenges remain. More than one-third of physicians say their workplace culture does not prioritize physician wellbeing, while 71% say stigma surrounding mental health and seeking mental health care persists within the profession.

“The steady decline in mental health care stigma over the past four years demonstrates that systemic changes, like eliminating intrusive mental health questions on licensure and credentialing applications, are making a meaningful difference,” said Corey Feist, CEO and Co-Founder of the Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation. “At the same time, policy reform is just the first step. True cultural and systemic transformation takes time and continuous commitment. We must keep building on this momentum to ensure this progress translates into supportive workplace environments where every health worker feels valued and supported.”

National Physician Suicide Awareness Day is a call to build on that progress by addressing the conditions that contribute to physician distress, removing remaining barriers to mental health care, and creating practice environments where physicians can thrive.

Explore upcoming wellbeing events here.

Learn more about National Physician Suicide Awareness Day at NPSADay.org.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.

About The Survey of America’s Physicians

The Survey of America’s Physicians, conducted annually by The Physicians Foundation in collaboration with Medscape, captures the perspectives of more than 1,000 practicing physicians nationwide on the issues shaping the practice of medicine and patient care. By tracking physician experiences and sentiment over time, the survey provides insight into the evolving health care landscape and identifies opportunities to strengthen physician practice and improve patient health outcomes.

About The Physicians Foundation 

The Physicians Foundation is a public charity seeking to advance the work of practicing physicians and help them facilitate the delivery of high-quality health care to patients. As the U.S. health care system continues to evolve, The Physicians Foundation is steadfast in strengthening the physician-patient relationship, supporting medical practices’ sustainability and helping physicians navigate the changing health care system. The Physicians Foundation pursues its mission through research, education and innovative grant making that improves physician wellbeing, strengthens physician leadership, addresses drivers of health and lifts physician perspectives. For more information, visit www.physiciansfoundation.org.

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