Overworked Doctors Struggle to Provide Quality, Patient-Centered Care

A recent national poll has found that more than half of U.S. adults say their doctors have ignored or dismissed their concerns, or not taken their symptoms seriously. While it's easy to blame the doctors, the reality is that most would prefer to have in-depth conversations with their patients if not for the intense productivity pressures and administrative burdens they face.

These "administrative harms" stem from upstream decisions made by healthcare systems, payment models, and policy that directly influence how doctors practice medicine. Doctors today have less control over their workloads and the time they can spend with each patient. Many have become employees of larger healthcare systems or been acquired by private equity groups, further limiting their autonomy.

The consequences of these systemic issues are significant. Rushed visits can lead to delayed or missed diagnoses, prescription errors, and worse outcomes for patients. Doctors are also suffering, with nearly half reporting feelings of burnout and a third considering leaving their current jobs. Overworked and understaffed teams ultimately hurt both patients and their doctors.

While overhauling the entire healthcare system may seem daunting, there are steps that can be taken. Patients and their families must advocate for themselves, while doctors and care teams should push back against unsustainable work conditions. Collective voices can drive meaningful change, but administrative leaders and policymakers also need to take responsibility for how their decisions impact patient care.