Why Independent Physicians Experience Less Burnout

Why Independent Physicians Experience Less Burnout

Burnout isn't just a buzzword—it's a crisis. Physician burnout has reached epidemic levels in the U.S., with over 60% of doctors reporting symptoms like emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a lost sense of purpose. But research and real-world experience point to one consistent solution: independence.

Why Does Independence Matter?

Unlike employed physicians tethered to RVUs, administrative bloat, and tight production schedules, independent physicians have greater control over:

• Patient load and appointment length

• Clinical decision-making

• Work hours and time off

This control leads to better alignment with personal values—and less moral injury.

Independence = More Joy in Medicine

When physicians can choose how they practice and whom they serve, they often rediscover the why that brought them into medicine in the first place. That rediscovery can be a powerful antidote to burnout.

“I didn’t leave medicine—I left the system. Private practice gave me medicine back.” — Independent DPC physician

The First Step Toward Freedom

Burnout doesn't have to define your career. Take the first step toward independence.

Ready to regain control? Start by scheduling a strategy session with John Hayes Jr., MD and start building a practice—and a life—you love.