Physician compensation is making headlines again. Recent media coverage has framed physician pay as excessive, focusing solely on salary figures without considering the bigger picture. The reality? Many physicians—particularly those in primary care and rural settings—are still largely underpaid relative to the critical services they provide. After all, physician compensation is more than a paycheck—it’s a reflection of the immense value they bring to patients and communities.

The conversation around fair pay is essential, but it’s only part of a larger discussion about how to build sustainable, fulfilling careers for physicians. These complexities were recently highlighted by Medical Economics, where Maureen Cragon, CMSR, Vice President at Caliber Healthcare Solutions, shared practical tips to help physicians negotiate salary and navigate contract discussions. Her advice emphasizes the importance of evaluating the full package—benefits, bonuses, and malpractice coverage—to ensure contracts align with both professional and personal priorities.

While negotiating fair compensation is crucial, it won’t solve deeper issues like burnout and job dissatisfaction. Physicians deserve more than just fair pay—they need tools and opportunities to achieve better personal and professional balance to prevent long-term burnout.

6 Ways to Prevent Burnout & Enhance Work-life Balance

For many physicians, achieving better work-life balance is critical to reducing stress and maintaining personal well-being. Long hours, growing administrative burdens, and rising burnout rates are pushing more providers to reconsider their career priorities. Finding balance requires more than just negotiating a competitive salary—it involves looking at broader aspects of a role, from schedule flexibility to mental health support.

So, if you’re a physician or advanced practice provider looking for ways to prevent burnout, here are six actionable strategies to consider:

1. Advocate for Your Schedule

Rigid schedules and long hours are significant contributors to burnout. When evaluating new opportunities, ask about flexible options such as four-day workweeks, telehealth days, or predictable shift patterns. If flexibility is hard to come by in a permanent role, locum tenens assignments can provide more control by allowing you to customize your schedule and choose assignments that fit your priorities.

2. Reduce Administrative Burdens

Non-clinical tasks like documentation, billing, and compliance take valuable time away from patient care. When considering a new role, ask about the level of administrative support available. Practices with dedicated staff or efficient workflows can significantly reduce your workload and help prevent burnout.

3. Diversify Your Experience & Practice Settings

Feeling stuck in the same role or location can lead to stagnation and burnout. Exploring different practice environments—whether through permanent roles or locum assignments—can reignite your passion for medicine. Locum tenens roles offer opportunities to try new specialties or work in different healthcare systems without long-term commitments.

4. Prioritize Mental Health Resources

Burnout prevention goes beyond time off—it requires ongoing mental health support. Ask potential employers about wellness programs, counseling services, and peer support groups. Look for policies that prioritize time off and family leave, giving you space to recharge when needed.

5. Seek Career Development Opportunities

Long-term job satisfaction often comes from feeling challenged and supported. Evaluate whether potential employers offer mentorship programs, leadership tracks, or continuing education opportunities to help you grow professionally. A role that fosters career growth can help keep your work meaningful and fulfilling.

6. Build in Breaks with Locum Tenens

If a permanent position feels overwhelming, consider short-term locum tenens assignments to reset. These roles provide higher pay rates and schedule flexibility without a long-term commitment, giving you time to reassess your career priorities and reduce burnout.

The Provider-Centric Difference: Balancing Pay, Flexibility, and Well-Being

At the core of a sustainable healthcare career is balance—across compensation, workload, and opportunity. You deliver your best care when you feel supported and in control of your professional life. But achieving that balance requires more than just a paycheck. It means finding the right roles that align with your personal and professional priorities.

At Caliber, we believe in helping you achieve your version of balance. Whether it’s negotiating better compensation, reducing administrative burdens, or exploring more flexible opportunities like locum tenens, we’re here to guide you toward roles that fit your needs and help prevent burnout before it starts.

Because at the end of the day, fair pay matters—but so does balance. And when you have both, you’re empowered to build a sustainable career that benefits you, your patients, and your community. That’s what we aim to deliver with our provider-centric approach to staffing.

Ready to Explore Locums?

If you’re interested in learning more about our locum tenens opportunities, check out our job board or contact us to see how we can help you take the next step in your career.