Is 2026 the year of doing less? Here's how healthcare providers are focusing on self-care over burnout

While things have undoubtedly gotten better since the COVID-19 pandemic sent burnout rates skyrocketing, physicians still experience remarkable levels of burnout and depression (especially those in internal medicine and emergency medicine), and low satisfaction with work-life balance. ^[]

The anticipated physician shortage is only likely to make things worse. The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts that, by 2036, the United States will see 86,000 fewer physicians. ^[]

How are healthcare practitioners shifting the focus from burnout to intentionality?

From taking time for personal growth to turning to technology to reduce hours on the job, practitioners are working smarter and caring for themselves more in the process. 

“Burnout prevention is about doing less of what drains you. I focus on purpose over productivity and say no to what doesn’t serve my patients, my research, or my values,” says Ryan Sultan, MD, a psychiatrist at Integrative Psych. 

Mia Kazanjian, MD, a radiologist, agrees. She says she is a fan of carving out alone time, keeping up with her social calendar, and embracing her creativity—all outside of work.

All of this may seem counterintuitive to “doing less,” but focusing only on work and not the self isn’t the answer. 

“The first thing people do when highly stressed is to remove their stress relievers from their lives. They cancel fun activities, do not see friends, do not do their relaxing activities such as reading, meditation, or exercise,” says Steven Sultanoff, PhD, a licensed psychologist and professor.

But how can you free up time from work? Felicia Sadler, RN, says embracing technology can help.

“Technology, when strategically implemented, can significantly reduce the administrative burden, enabling [practitioners]  to dedicate more time to their patients,” she says. “With thoughtful integration that supports (rather than replaces) the human connection, technology can enhance efficiency without compromising the relationship between [healthcare practitioners] and patients that’s necessary for safe and effective care.”

It can work. Many healthcare systems are embracing technologic and other creative strategies to reduce healthcare practitioner hours. ^[]

In the end, saying no to excessive work sets a precedent, as Dr. Sultanoff notes.

“By doing less, you teach yourself that you can live effectively by doing less. This changes your thinking as well as relieving the physical demands," he says.

When all else fails, take a breath

For physicians struggling to keep up with everything on their plate, sometimes doing less simply means not running yourself into the ground. Melissa A. Clark, MD, a family medicine physician, says she tries to regulate her nervous system by making little adjustments throughout the day.

“Our nervous systems were not built to handle the level of ongoing stress that we face in health care, and often our bodies continue to think we are under threat even when the workday ends," she says. She recommends having your exhale be longer than your inhale.