Physicians are concerned with the current state of primary care

Physicians are stressed out by the state of primary care © vectorfusionart - stock.adobe.com

It’s not difficult to see how the current state of U.S. health care could leave patients feeling stressed out. Appointments with primary care physicians (PCPs) or health care specialists can be difficult to schedule, often with extended waiting periods, only for the appointments to ultimately feel rushed and impersonal. However, the 2025 Physician Health Survey from MDVIP and Ipsos suggests that patients are not alone.

PCPs, who are on the frontlines of care, face unprecedented stress, dissatisfaction and skepticism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, which was conducted with a sample of 401 PCPs in October 2024, highlights the growing challenges within the U.S. health care system and the impact that they have on both physicians and patients. Key findings reveal strained physician-patient relationships, rising levels of workplace stress and concerns about emerging medical technologies, namely artificial intelligence (AI).

Declining trust, transactional care

The survey found that 62% of PCPs believe their interactions with patients have become more transactional than relational. This shift reflects a broader sense of disconnection—a troubling trend in a profession historically built on strong trust and thorough communication.

“Our latest research demonstrates the shortcomings of today’s health care system, including how time scarcity and stressful work conditions are depersonalizing the patient experience and forcing doctors to make tradeoffs in their care,” Andrea Klemes, DO, FACE, chief medical officer of MDVIP, said in a news release.

The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have further eroded patient trust, with 74% of surveyed PCPs reporting that some patients appear more skeptical of medical advice post-pandemic. Sixty percent of physicians feel they must actively work to rebuild lost trust with their patients.

Workplace stress and burnout

Participating PCPs indicated their high levels of stress in the workplace, with 70% acknowledging the negative impact it has on their personal lives. Alarmingly, 44% of respondents admitted that they have seriously contemplated leaving medicine altogether. Many physicians cited systemic issues, including time constraints, financial pressures and administrative burdens, as contributing factors.

For some, even financial sacrifices would be worth reducing stress. Nearly three in four (72%) PCPs said they would accept less money to work under less stressful conditions.
“High rates of workplace stress and burnout among [PCPs] is a preventable trend,” said Klemes. “MDVIP’s practice model enables doctors to focus on what matters most, from strengthening their relationship with patients and helping influence healthier lifestyle behaviors to taking time for their own self-care.”

AI

AI, although increasingly common in health care, remains a polarizing topic among physicians. Despite its potential to streamline administrative tasks and potentially alleviate some physician burden, 56% of PCPs expressed concerns about incorporating AI into their practice.

Physicians are specifically wary of AI in clinical decision-making, with 42% of respondents saying they do not trust AI “at all” to make medical diagnoses, and 44% expressing distrust in its ability to prescribe medications or treatments.

Not enough time

The survey highlights physicians’ desire for additional time with patients. Nearly two-thirds of PCPs feel their work is more transactional than relational, and 81% spend less time with their patients than they’d like to. More than half (57%) of physicians reported writing out prescriptions or referring patients out due to time constraints, and 46% cited inadequate time with patients as a top stressor.

If their schedules allowed, 78% of PCPs said they would focus on identifying the root causes of health issues, while 74% would dedicate additional time to coaching patients on lifestyle changes. Another 77% expressed a desire to focus on enhancing patients’ healthspan and longevity.

Eighty-eight percent of PCPs wish they had more time to stay up to date on medical studies and advances, 80% wish they had time to research new drugs and 87% wish they could spend more time with their patients, in order to get to know them better.

Practice outlook

Financial and administrative pressures weigh heavily on the minds of physicians. Nearly half (49%) of PCPs feel they lack the business acumen to run a successful practice, and 28% predict their practices will face poor financial health within five years. For 48%, the uncertainty extends to not knowing what will happen to their practices upon retirement.

Klemes expressed the importance of reimagining health care delivery models to adequately alleviate stress on physicians, thereby improving patient care. “This shared frustration among physicians and patients is prompting them to look toward more innovative health care delivery models and emerging technologies that improve the quality of the doctor-patient relationship and drive better outcomes,” she said.