83 percent doctors report mental, physical fatigue, 70 percent cite workplace safety concerns- Survey
Mental Fatigue Among Indian Doctors
New Delhi: A nationwide survey, which collected insights from more than 10,000 healthcare professionals, recently revealed that 83 percent of doctors experience mental and emotional fatigue.
According to the survey results, the fatigue levels are higher in smaller cities, as 85 per cent of the respondents in tier 2 and 3 locations reported emotional or physical exhaustion, while in the Tier 1 cities, 74 per cent of respondents reported feeling that way, Economic Times has reported.
These findings come from a first-of-its-kind survey called "Knya Vitals 2025: Behind the Scrubs", launched by the Medical brand Knya.
As per the latest media report by Business Standard, the report uncovered a worrying trend- including increasing levels of mental fatigue, safety concerns, and overwhelming workloads that are pushing medical professionals to their burnout.
The key findings from the survey report are as follows:
Mental Fatigue Among Doctors:
The survey report indicated that 83 per cent of doctors experience mental or emotional fatigue, with the rate rising to 87 per cent among women. The male doctors also experience mental fatigue. However, compared to the higher percentage, only 77% male doctors reportedly feel that way.
According to the report, the fatigue levels are higher in smaller cities. While in Tier 2 and 3 locations, 85 per cent of respondents feel emotional and physical exhaustion, only 74 per cent feel that way in Tier 1 cities, Economic Times has reported.
More severe fatigue and safety concerns were expressed by doctors practicing in tier 2 and 3 cities, such as Nagpur and Aurangabad, than by the doctors in larger metros. This was attributed to limited mental health resources and overburdened infrastructure.
Longer Work Hours:
The survey indicated that doctors in India work significantly longer hours. Half of the medical professionals who responded in the survey reported working more than 60 hours a week, and 15 per cent reported working beyond 80 hours.
Less Family Time:
One in three doctors who participated in the survey reported having less than an hour each day for personal time, including rest and time with family.
Workplace Safety and Women Doctors:
The survey also revealed workplace safety as one of the major concerns among doctors. 7 out of 10 respondents reported not feeling safe at work. Such feelings have been reported more among women doctors. 70 per cent women doctors reported feeling unsafe at work, and 75 per cent regretted entering or continuing in the medical profession.
72 per cent of female doctors in Tier 2 and 3 cities report feeling unsafe, around 10 pe cent higher than in metros. Female doctors also reportedly experience higher levels or emotional fatigue than their male colleagues.
Working against Medical Ethics:
As per the report, 1 in 2 medical professionals feel pressured by their institutions to act against the Medical Code of Ethics.
Response from Young Medical Professionals:
Medical Professionals belonging to the age group 25-34 report the longest hours, highest levels of fatigue, and they expressed most repret about their career choices. However, this regret drops significantly after the age of 35.
Underpaid and Overworked:
Highlighting the compensation and recognition aspect of the medical profession, the survey revealed that 43 percent of respondents feel underpaid and cite inadequate institutional support during the most demanding years of their careers.
Daily Challenges:
As per the survey, 58 per cent of doctors cited long working hours, 46 per cent reported that they struggle with patient overload, and 36 per cent reported being weighed down by administrative tasks.
However, the concerns about artificial intelligence displacing jobs were minimal among the doctors as lesser than 1 percent of doctors viewed AI as a threat.
Burnout:
Displaying a worrying picture, the survey revealed that 55 per cent of doctors expressed fear of mental health collapse or burnout. While 50 per cent were worried about the failure of public healthcare, 48 per cent expressed fear of physical harm while on duty.
Earlier this year, a nationwide survey conducted by United Doctors Front (UDF) and Medical Dialogues, had revealed that an alarming 86% of India's young doctors and medical students believed that excessive duty hours were directly harming their mental health and compromising patient safety.
The online survey, conducted between March 12 and 24, 2025, gathered responses from 1,031 MBBS interns and PG medical students across all Indian states and union territories.
Over 62% of the respondents reported working more than 72 hours per week, while more than half said they do not receive a weekly off, highlighting a widespread culture of overwork in India’s medical institutions.
Also Read: Doctors move Supreme Court against 'inhuman' working hours for resident doctors
