Who’s in control of medicine? Physicians on job autonomy and patient care

Physicians go into medicine to help patients heal, but job circumstances may sap their control over delivery of care.

The Physicians Foundation conducted an online survey of more than 1,000 physicians across the United States to gauge their feelings about physician autonomy and the external pressures that can enhance or erode it. The survey was conducted in May with results published in October 2025.

This slideshow presents findings, with all data supplied by The Physicians Foundation’s “Latest on Physician Autonomy and Impact on Patient Care.”