Physician Intent to Reduce Hours and Intent to Leave Organizations - Summary - MDSpire

Physician Intent to Reduce Hours and Intent to Leave Organizations

  • By

  • Lisa Rotenstein

  • Purva Shah

  • Roger Brown

  • Heather Farley

  • Tait Shanafelt

  • Christine A. Sinsky

  • May 6, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To assess changes in physicians' intentions to reduce work hours (ITR) and leave current positions (ITL) post-COVID-19 pandemic and identify associated factors, including demographic and professional characteristics.

Key Findings:
  • As of 2021, 40% of physicians intended to reduce work hours, and 25% planned to leave their current practice within 24 months, highlighting significant workforce implications.
  • Trends in ITR and ITL have remained stable from 2014 to 2021.
  • Factors influencing ITR and ITL include stressful working conditions and perceptions of personal risk.
Interpretation:

The persistence of high ITR and ITL intentions among physicians indicates ongoing challenges in the healthcare workforce, necessitating targeted interventions such as improved working conditions and support systems.

Limitations:
  • Survey responses may not fully capture the diversity of physician experiences.
  • Findings are based on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias.
  • Potential limitations in survey methodology or response rates may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Conclusion:

Understanding the factors influencing physician work intentions is crucial for addressing workforce shortages and improving retention strategies, emphasizing the urgency of these issues.

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