Improving the practice of medicine for physicians has been a priority for many in the healthcare industry — and efforts are finally beginning to pay off.

Artificial intelligence is being used across the medical industry, from assisting with highly complex procedures to improving diagnostic accuracy. It could also be a powerful tool in the fight against physician burnout. 

Resident physicians are often expected to reside in the hospital and put in long hours for considerably less pay, based on the notion that they are training within  their respective fields. But with inflation and labor shortages on the rise, could these expectations be harming residents? 

With staffing shortages and burnout still high in healthcare, new physicians looking for work may be overwhelmed by offers and solicitations. 

The number of years that a physician has been in practice could correlate with their risk of burnout, a recent survey from the American Medical Association found.

Financially troubled Steward Health Care has extended the bid deadline of its physician group to July 22 and the auction deadline to July 25, according to a notice obtained by Becker's.

Here’s five things trends dominating physician employment right now:

Becker's connected with Michael Loftus, MD, senior vice president, chief medical and quality officer at Livingston, N.J.-based Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, part of West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health, to discuss the effects of the growing focus on physician well-being in healthcare.

Anjalee Galion, MD, chief wellness officer at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), wants physicians attempting to grapple with the field of medicine's challenges to know that they are not alone.

In an ever-shifting economy, compensation expectations, availability of staff and career satisfaction are constantly changing.

Rising supply costs, ongoing burnout and inadequate pay policies have all contributed to career dissatisfaction among a growing number of physicians. Despite the negative aspects of practicing medicine, many physicians remain optimistic about the future.

Becker's connected with Nathan Merriman, MD, medical director of gastroenterology and digestive health at Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health, to explain why a lesser-discussed issue in healthcare — friction — is one of the industry's most important — and insidious — issues.

Payers such as UnitedHealth Groups' Optum and Elevance are acquiring providers, and some leaders are wary about how these groups' rapid growth will affect the physician workforce. 

Increased consolidation, noncompete clauses and provider shortages are three of the workforce trends making physicians nervous. 

As disruptors have entered the healthcare market and technology has advanced, the role of the physician is not so easily defined. Physicians at the core are healers, but their role in the industry has changed in many ways over the past five years.

The field of healthcare has undergone massive changes in recent years, such as clinical protocols, care delivery or technology-assisted care. What has this meant for physicians?

Physicians reported that administrative burdens are the biggest contributor to the ongoing provider shortage in Doximity's "Physician Compensation Report" for 2024, published May 23. 

There are many ways physicians can harness the reach and capabilities of social media to increase patient engagement and debunk medical misinformation, however, having a social media presence comes with its own challenges — particularly for physicians. 

Dallas, Texas-based Steward Health Care has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following a months-long saga of financial distress, according to a May 6 news release from the health system.

The Arizona Medical Group Management Association told national MGMA May 1 it would end its affiliation, following a trend of organizations departing and rebranding as Healthcare Leaders Association.