Survey: Only 18% of physicians feel engaged at work

A new national survey suggests many physicians feel disconnected from the organizations they work for, even as most say they're satisfied with their jobs.

CHG Healthcare's 2025 Physician Sentiment Survey, released Tuesday, finds that only 18% of physicians meet the criteria for being "highly engaged" at work — a sign of deeper cultural strain in a workforce already contending with shortages, burnout and mounting administrative pressure.

A narrow slice of engagement

The report defines highly engaged physicians as those who feel aligned with leadership, satisfied with day-to-day work and willing to advocate for their organization. That small group stands in stark contrast to the 74% of physicians who report overall job satisfaction, highlighting what the report describes as an overlooked but critical gap in organizational culture.

"Physicians are under enormous stress, burnout levels remain high and the workforce shortage shows no signs of easing," said Bill Heller, COO of CHG Healthcare. "However, this data also tells a more hopeful story. It gives us a road map, directly from the front lines, for what leaders can do right now to make health care better for both clinicians and patients."

Trust gaps and leadership disconnect

Physicians say their strongest relationships remain closest to home. While 57% report trusting their direct supervisors, only 41% say they trust executive leadership.

Communication appears to be a key fault line, as just 40% of physicians believe executives actively solicit their input, despite 72% wanting more involvement in decisions.

Highly engaged physicians describe a very different experience. According to the survey:

• They are 46% more likely to be satisfied with leadership transparency.
• They are 40% more likely to feel leadership communicates openly.
• 90% say executive leadership actively seeks and incorporates their input.

Administrative pressure still dominates

Beyond leadership issues, physicians continue to shoulder heavy administrative loads. Respondents reported working an average of 45 hours per week in scheduled shifts and another 15 hours on documentation, charting and follow-up tasks.

Open-ended comments referenced staffing shortages, unrealistic expectations and friction with administration. One physician wrote: "Administration not respecting what our department does and sets unrealistic goals and metrics."

Economic worries and shifting work patterns

Concerns about the broader health care environment are rising as well.

1. 45% say they are very or extremely concerned about economic conditions.
2. 65% say their concerns have grown over the past year.

Some physicians are responding by reassessing their work plans. Nearly one-in-three (31%) say they expect to explore work outside medicine, while 30% may take on moonlighting to supplement income.

Those levels drop substantially among physicians who are highly engaged.

Technology hopes — and worries about being sidelined

Most physicians want a seat at the table when it comes to technology decisions, particularly around artificial intelligence (AI).

Nearly 71% want involvement, but many feel excluded. While 70% expect AI to improve efficiency, just 39% believe it will positively affect patient volume and many worry that efficiency gains could be used to increase capacity rather than ease administrative burden.

Rebuilding engagement

The report encourages leaders to focus on practices that don't require major spending: greater visibility, clearer communication and genuine opportunities for physicians to shape decisions.

"When leaders are accessible, visible and open to physician input, it goes a long way toward building trust and improving morale," Heller said.

According to CHG Healthcare, the key difference between satisfaction and true engagement often comes down to whether physicians feel listened to — and whether they see their perspectives reflected in decisions that shape their daily work.