PA Burnout Persists as Workload, Pay, and Administrative Burdens Take a Toll

Burnout among physician associates (PAs) remains a persistent workforce challenge, with new survey findings suggesting that many clinicians are experiencing symptoms for years rather than months.

The Medscape PA Burnout & Depression Report 2026 surveyed 778 practicing PAs across 26 specialties in the United States between January 26 and May 5, 2026. Overall, 35% of respondents reported experiencing burnout, 6% reported depression, and 15% reported experiencing both burnout and depression. Another 44% reported neither.¹

Among the 384 respondents who reported burnout, 44% said they had experienced it for more than 2 years. That proportion has continued to rise, compared with 37% in 2024 and 20% in 2022. An additional 29% of burned-out PAs said their symptoms had persisted for 1 to 2 years.¹

Administrative Burden and Compensation Remain Major Concerns

Workplace pressures were prominent among the factors PAs associated with burnout. Too many bureaucratic tasks, including charting and paperwork, were cited by 57% of respondents experiencing burnout, making administrative burden the most commonly reported contributor.

Insufficient compensation followed at 49%, while 39% cited excessive working hours. Lack of respect from administrators, employers, colleagues, or staff was reported by 38%, and 29% cited a lack of respect from patients.¹

Job-related stress also accounted for much of the burnout and depression reported by respondents. According to the survey, 83% of men and 75% of women attributed most or all of their burnout or depression to job stress.¹

These findings align with broader research examining burnout among PAs. A 2025 national study found that 34.2% of PAs reported at least 1 symptom of burnout, with worsening working conditions emerging as the factor most strongly associated with increased burnout risk. Workload and understaffing were also associated with burnout, whereas satisfaction with work-life balance appeared protective.²

Many PAs Say Their Employers Do Not Recognize Burnout

Despite the prevalence and duration of burnout, relatively few PAs believe their employers recognize the problem.

Only approximately 22% of respondents said their employer recognizes burnout among staff. More than half, 53%, said their employer does not recognize it, while 23% were unsure.¹

The findings also suggest that some PAs remain hesitant to discuss mental health concerns within the workplace. Among respondents experiencing depression, 68% reported being less willing to confide in a supervisor and 74% were less willing to confide in an administrator.¹

Burnout may also have implications for workforce retention. Fifteen percent of male PAs and 10% of female PAs experiencing burnout said their symptoms were severe enough that they were considering leaving medicine altogether.¹

What PAs Say Would Help

When asked what could reduce burnout, PAs most frequently pointed toward changes in their working conditions.

Increased compensation to alleviate financial stress was selected by 57% of respondents, up from 52% in 2024. Nearly half, 47%, said lighter patient loads would help, compared with 41% in 2024. Other frequently identified changes included more manageable work schedules (39%), additional support staff (36%), and greater respect from administrators, employers, colleagues, or staff (28%).¹

The results suggest that although individual approaches to managing stress may play a role, many of the changes PAs believe would meaningfully reduce burnout involve broader workplace and organizational factors.

Despite these challenges, Medscape characterized the 2026 findings as reflecting continued belief among PAs in their careers. However, the increasing duration of burnout underscores the importance of addressing the conditions that clinicians identify as contributing to prolonged workplace stress.

References

1. Medscape. Between Burnout & Belief: Medscape PA Burnout & Depression Report 2026. Published October 9, 2026. Accessed October 15, 2026.
2. Coplan B, et al. Understanding burnout in physician assistants/associates through the lens of Conservation of Resources theory. BMC Health Serv Res. Published online September 2, 2025.