Physicians are an indispensable part of the US healthcare system. They provide direct services and act as gatekeepers to additional services from nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists, and therapists. Advanced Practice Professionals (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) are expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Most physicians and surgeons are employed in offices of physicians and general medical/surgical hospitals. Telehealth utilization has increased during the pandemic, while retail organizations like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Amazon have provided medical services in retail settings.
Unfortunately, physician burnout has increased dramatically as well. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), physician burnout rates spiked to 63% in 2021. This was mainly due to system inefficiencies, administrative burdens, and increased regulations and technology requirements. While burnout has decreased to 53% in 2022, it remains at an elevated rate compared to pre-pandemic levels.
