An increasing number of UK doctors are willing to sacrifice a portion of their salary for a shot at a better life outside the hospital, according to Medscape UK’s latest report on doctors’ well-being.
Almost 50% of the respondents in The Wellness and Life Outside of Work Report 2025 said they would accept lower pay in exchange for a better work-life balance, showing growing frustration across the profession.
The findings reveal 27% of doctors suffer from burnout, half of them blaming their job for it. And for 67%, the mental toll is now spilling into their personal lives, straining relationships beyond the workplace.
Younger doctors appear to be particularly vulnerable. Fourteen percent of all doctors reported feeling both burned out and depressed, with those under 45 more likely to say they’re struggling with both. Despite being more affected, many of them take minimal time off. Almost 30% of doctors under 45 reported just one to two weeks of annual leave per year, and 13% took less than one.
Coping mechanisms are also a cause for concern, with fourteen percent admitted to using alcohol to manage stress, and 10% reported relying on prescription medication.
While the majority of doctors still describe themselves as happy outside of work, the picture is mixed. Over half (53%) said they struggle to maintain close friendships due to a lack of time. Yet hobbies like reading, gardening, and sport remain crucial outlets for many, as do holidays, cited by 54% as key to staying mentally healthy.
UK doctors are not the only ones feeling the pressure in the industry. Across the pond, US healthcare workers are showing lower levels of engagement and dissatisfaction with their benefits packages.