Nearly one in five orthopedists who reported burnout said it is so severe that they are thinking of leaving medicine altogether, according to Medscape’s “Orthopedist Burnout & Depression Report 2026.”
The report, published Oct. 30, draws on a survey of 5,159 full-time U.S. physicians across specialties, conducted Jan. 15 to April 16, 2026, and weighted to American Medical Association data on specialty, age, gender and region. Orthopedists accounted for 3% of total respondents.
Medscape does not report how many orthopedists were surveyed, and its margin of error applies to the full group of physicians.
Here are 10 things to know from the report:
- Job stress was blamed for most of the problem. A total of 87% of orthopedists attributed most or all of their burnout or depression to job stress rather than their personal lives, including 42% who said all of it.
- Bureaucratic tasks, such as charting and paperwork, were the top driver of burnout, cited by 67% of orthopedists who reported burnout. Lack of respect from administrators, employers, colleagues or staff followed at 41%, then insufficient compensation at 40%, lack of control or autonomy at 39% and too many hours at 34%. Respondents could choose up to three responses.
- Nearly 80% of orthopedists who reported burnout said it is worse than what other professionals they know experience.
- Burnout is not short-lived. A total of 71% of orthopedists who reported burnout said it has lasted more than a year, including 33% who said more than two years.
- Nearly three in four orthopedists said burnout has hurt their personal relationships. Of those who reported burnout, 83% said they can mitigate the damage, 68% somewhat and 15% a lot.
- A total of 69% of orthopedists who reported burnout, depression or both said they have not sought and are not seeking professional help, which Medscape said was the largest share among the specialties it surveyed. Only 8% said they are receiving or plan to seek help for burnout, and 8% for depression.
- Employers are not seen as responsive. About 60% of orthopedists who reported burnout said their employers do not recognize that it is causing problems. They said the most helpful steps would be more physician control or autonomy (52%), higher compensation (49%) and more support staff (48%). Only 9% pointed to counseling services or check-ins.
- Orthopedists are acting on their own. A total of 70% reported making at least one change to their work environment, including reducing hours (28%), making workflow or staffing changes (28%) and changing jobs or work settings (24%). About 30% did nothing. Exercise was the top way of coping with burnout at 61%, followed by talking with family or close friends at 48%, though 36% said they isolate themselves and 23% said they drink alcohol.
- Of orthopedists who reported depression, 19% described it as clinical depression. Job burnout was the most-cited factor behind depression, at 74%, followed by the responsibilities of being a physician at 50%.
- Stigma keeps many from opening up. Among orthopedists who reported depression, 86% said confiding in fellow physicians is not a valid path, 46% said they would not tell others because people might doubt their abilities as a physician and 40% feared it would get back to the medical board or their employers. Nearly half said depression leaves them easily exasperated with patients, and 23% said they are less motivated to be careful with patient notes.
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