What are doctors’ greatest fears? 79.4% of 3,656 doctors worldwide agree there are four main things that scare them the most as a medical doctor. Among them are making a critical medical error that could harm a patient and work-life balance. Find out the other doctors’ fears in our latest M3 Pulse survey results.
Doctors are often seen as pillars of strength, expected to remain composed and decisive in life-or-death situations. However, like everyone else, doctors have their fears too. Whether in the operating room or at home, the weight of responsibility can sometimes feel overwhelming. Fear is a natural human experience, and in the medical profession, it takes many forms.
Professionally, some doctors may fear making a critical mistake, such as a misdiagnosis or a medical error during surgery, with the potential to harm a patient. On a personal level, doctors might worry about the strain their demanding work puts on relationships, with long hours and burnout potentially creating distance from family and friends.
It’s important fears are not stigmatised but rather seen as part of a conversation that normalises the full spectrum of emotions experienced by all humans—including doctors.
Read more about doctors’ greatest fears and the M3 Pulse survey results:
M3 Pulse Results: Doctors’ Greatest Fears Ranked 1-9
Being a medical doctor comes with responsibility, and many aspects of the profession can be sources of concern. From patient care to professional well-being, doctors report facing a range of fears in their daily work.
In our latest M3 Pulse survey, conducted with 3,656 doctors worldwide, we explored some of the most commonly mentioned fears among doctors.
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Result Summary and Doctor’s Fear Insights
As much as 56% of respondents reported their greatest fears as doctors are related to patient safety and clinical responsibilities. Work-life balance and career concerns accounted for 20% of doctors’ fears, while psychological and emotional well-being made up 18.4%. Workplace safety, though a concern, was reported by only 3% of respondents.
In the open-ended section (2.7%), additional doctors’ fears were highlighted, including administrative burdens, bureaucracy, political interference, financial insecurity, and the loss of clinical autonomy—highlighting the broader systemic challenges doctors face beyond direct patient care.
Doctors Fears Related to Patient Safety & Clinical Responsibility (56%)
- Making a critical medical error that harms a patient (50.7%)
One of the most frequently reported doctors’ fears is the possibility of making a mistake that could harm a patient. The responsibility of diagnosing and treating illnesses can feel overwhelming, and even small errors may have serious consequences. Concerns about misdiagnosis, medication errors, or surgical complications are commonly discussed among healthcare professionals and can contribute to stress and anxiety. - Not being able to save a patient despite my best efforts (3.6%)
Doctors sometimes describe the difficulty of coping with cases where, despite their training and effort, they are unable to save a patient. This fear among doctors is particularly noted in fields like emergency medicine, intensive care, and surgery, where rapid, high-stakes decisions are required. The emotional weight of these moments can be significant. - Failing to communicate effectively with patients, families, or colleagues, leading to poor healthcare outcomes (1.7%)
Some doctors express concerns about communication challenges in healthcare settings. Misunderstandings or miscommunication with patients, colleagues, or families can lead to less effective treatment and unintended outcomes. In fast-paced environments, ensuring clarity in every conversation can be difficult, adding to doctors worry.
Doctors Fears Related to Work-Life Balance & Career Concerns (20%)
- Struggling to maintain a work-life balance and missing important moments with family and friends (10.7%)
Maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life is a reported fear among doctors. Long shifts, on-call duties, and unpredictable schedules can make it difficult to spend time with family and friends. Some worry the demands of their profession may cause them to miss out on important moments outside of work. - Facing legal or ethical challenges that could impact my career (9.3%)
Legal and ethical concerns are mentioned as sources of fear among doctors. The possibility of lawsuits or malpractice claims can be worrying, even for those who act with the best intentions. Ethical dilemmas, such as end-of-life decisions or conflicts with hospital policies, can also be difficult to navigate and may contribute to feelings of uncertainty.
Doctors Fears Related to Psychological & Emotional Well-being (18.4%)
- The fear of burnout—losing my sense of self-worth, well-being, or passion for medicine (8.5%)
Burnout is widely discussed in the medical community, with some doctors expressing concerns about losing their motivation or passion for the profession. Reports suggest prolonged stress, long working hours, and emotional exhaustion can impact well-being, leading to feelings of detachment or decreased job satisfaction. - The emotional toll of the profession and fear of the long-term impact on mental health (5.9%)
Some doctors worry about the emotional demands of their work and how it may affect their mental well-being over time. Dealing with life-and-death situations, delivering difficult news, and witnessing suffering can take its toll. Reports suggest long-term exposure to these challenges may contribute to burnout, compassion fatigue, or other mental health concerns. - Not feeling like I am enough or unable to provide the best care due to some factors (4.0%)
Imposter syndrome and self-doubt are reported worries among some doctors. Concerns about whether they are doing enough for their patients—whether due to systemic limitations, resource constraints, or personal insecurities.
Doctors Fears Related to Workplace Safety & Environment (3%)
- Experiencing workplace violence, harassment, or aggression from patients or colleagues (3.0%)
Concerns about workplace violence and harassment have been raised by doctors in various settings. Reports of verbal abuse, threats, or even physical aggression from patients or their families are not uncommon. Some also mention experiencing harassment or bullying from colleagues, which can impact their overall well-being and job satisfaction.
Other Doctors’ Fears Reported in Open-Ended Answers (2.7%)
Additional fears raised by doctors in the open-ended section include:
- Excessive administrative burdens and bureaucracy: Many doctors report frustration with redundant paperwork, regulatory oversight, and time-consuming bureaucracy that takes away from patient care.
- Financial insecurity and declining reimbursements: Concerns about decreasing compensation, rising costs of licensure and malpractice insurance, and financial instability, especially towards the end of their careers.
- Loss of clinical autonomy and increasing corporate control: Fear of being unable to make independent medical decisions due to insurance companies, corporate hospital policies, and government regulations.
- Politicisation of healthcare and government interference: Worries about political decisions negatively impacting healthcare systems, public health policies, and the physician-patient relationship.
- Workplace harassment, false accusations, and professional reputation risks: Some doctors express fear of being falsely accused by patients, targeted by medical boards, or facing discrimination from colleagues and administrators.
These are just some of the fears doctors reported in our latest M3 Pulse survey. If you are a doctor, what are your biggest work-related fears? Please share your perspective in the comments below.
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