Physicians, like professionals in all fields, should be encouraged to seek care for our mental health and well-being without fear of losing their jobs. We know that healthier physicians are safer, more productive and at lower risk for self-harm. Unfortunately, our profession has a long history of telling us to “tough it out,” even as the demands on our time and the complexities of our jobs have grown. This is why the AMA has prioritized physician mental health and well-being and made it a cornerstone of our advocacy work for more than a decade.
A key element of our advocacy has been seeking to eliminate the intrusive and stigmatizing language that still remains on some medical licensing board, health system credentialing, and medical employment applications. In particular, asking physicians about mental health care or behavioral health treatment received in the past discourages them from seeking out such support going forward. That inaction can greatly heighten the risk of untreated mental illness, which in turn can lead to poor clinical performance, medical malpractice and other adverse events.
The AMA believes inquiries about past mental health diagnoses or treatment for mental illness or substance use disorders—when there is no current impairment—are not reliable indicators of a physician’s current fitness to practice. A more effective approach for medical boards, hospitals and health systems is to focus on whether a current impairment exists, while making it clear to physicians, residents, medical students and other health care professionals that seeking care is encouraged and will not be punished.
Role of burnout
Occupational burnout among physicians soared to record levels early in the COVID-19 pandemic but has moderated since. Newly published research conducted by a partnership of the AMA, Mayo Clinic, Stanford Medicine and the University of Colorado School of Medicine put the overall prevalence of burnout among U.S. physicians at 45.2% in 2023, down substantially from 62.8% in 2021.
Even with that decline, physicians remain at a sharply higher risk for burnout compared with the nation’s workforce as a whole. It’s clear from these latest survey findings that much work remains to address and solve the underlying problems within our healthcare system, and better meet the well-being needs of physicians.
The AMA has made improving physician well-being and professional satisfaction a cornerstone of its state and federal advocacy priorities for more than a decade. And we continue to develop the tools, support and resources physicians need to create practice efficiencies, streamline workflow, and address the common frustrations we all face. These resources include the AMA Steps Forward® Program, our Organizational Biopsy® (PDF) assessment program, playbooks, podcasts, webinars, the Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program and more.
It’s important to remember that physicians are human, and certainly not immune to occupational distress, anxiety, depression or other illness, whether mental or physical. Physicians deserve the same care and consideration they provide to patients. Part of addressing physician burnout means acknowledging that it is wholly acceptable for physicians to feel overwhelmed on occasion, and to feel free to take appropriate action in response without worrying that doing so could jeopardize their careers.
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Actions being taken
Thanks in large part to AMA’s focused advocacy on this issue—in partnership with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, Federation of State Medical Boards, Federation of State Physician Health Programs and many others—34 state medical licensing boards and more than 500 hospitals and health systems to date have addressed their licensing or credentialing applications to ensure they do not inquire about past mental health care or substance use disorder treatment.
This advocacy has benefitted more than one million physicians and other health care professionals—and AMA advocacy and policy has been part of nearly every one of these efforts. We urge additional states and health systems to take similar action.
Each update that deletes intrusive mental health questions from licensing and credentialing applications is an important step to support and strengthen the health care community. Unfortunately, stigma still prevents many physicians and physicians-in-training from seeking needed care due to fear of professional repercussions. The AMA is proud to continue work with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation to advance progress and ensure every licensing board, hospital, health system and credentialing body in the nation updates their applications.
After strong AMA support helped secure passage of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Act in 2022, we have continued to push for regulatory, legislative and other solutions (PDF) to direct more funding and resources to support the mental health needs of physicians. We are also supporting bipartisan legislation currently pending in both the House and Senate that provides a five-year reauthorization of this important legislation in 2025.
As the physician’s powerful ally in patient care, we will continue our vigorous advocacy at both the state and federal levels to help create and sustain physician wellness programs so that physicians who seek coaching, counseling or similar services can do so with both confidence and confidentiality.
