Physician Wellness Page

Physician Wellness

Welcome to TMA's Physician Wellness Resource Center. TMA is committed to providing aid to physicians across the state, and this page is designed to help members find reliable programs and outlets when searching for ways to improve mental health and combat burnout.

In a collaborative effort to address physician burnout and support wellbeing, the Tennessee Medical Association has partnered with its largest regional medical societies to jointly present the Resilience in Medicine: A Wellness Webinar Series, a virtual education series designed to equip physicians with strategies for resilience, support and professional fulfillment.

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Resources and Studies

Surgeon General Advisory Sounds Alarm on Health Worker Burnout and Resignation

STUDY: The Association of Work Overload with Burnout and Intent to Leave the Job Across the Healthcare Workforce During COVID-19

STUDY: Digital Minimalism- An Rx for Clinician Burnout

AMA Podcast: Reframing Compassion Fatigue: Reframing Compassion Fatigue: Compassion as a Tool for Combating Burnout

AMA: These 6 Physician Specialties Have the Most Burnout

AMA Physician Wellbeing Program

Networking Strategies for Physicians

AMA: U.S. physician burnout hits lowest rate since COVID-19 (2025 Update)

After years marked by stress, exhaustion and unprecedented pressure, physicians appear to be breathing a little more easily. Physician burnout rates have dropped below 45%, reaching the lowest level since before the COVID-19 public health emergency, according to exclusive survey data from the AMA. This is a promising sign that efforts to improve physician well-being are gaining traction. Yet even amid this hopeful development, health care leaders caution against declaring victory prematurely. While physician burnout rates have dropped and well-being has improved, systemic challenges remain, underscoring the need for continued change.

TMA EFFORTS

Below are links to efforts that TMA has made over the past years to highlight wellness.

All Member Virtual: TMA hosted two meetings focused on physician wellness. View the recordings here
News Articles: Read more about TMA's ongoing efforts to promote wellness initiatives:
- Sept. 17, 2022 - Foundations Call on Health Organizations to Implement Solutions
- Aug. 18, 2023 - TMA Advocates for Physician Wellness in Advance of Suicide Awareness Month
- Sept. 5, 2024 - Tennessee Medical Association Continues to Reduce Burnout and Prevent Physician Suicide
Legislation:
- In 2024, TMA passed legislation providing confidentiality protections for physicians struggling with career fatigue. The new law prohibits the disclosure of mental health and wellness treatment as a condition for licensure, credentialing, and pre-employment interviews.
- In 2025, TMA actively supported legislation to allow medical boards to issue conditional licenses to new state applicants who disclose past mental health diagnoses without reporting to the National Practitioner Data Bank. This legislation passed and will be effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Tennessee Medical Foundation

Founded in 1978 by TMA, the Tennessee Medical Foundation (TMF) is now an independent nonprofit organization providing expert, confidential assistance addressing health concerns specific to all physicians, including trainees and students, for addiction and other behavioral health disorders, cognitive issues, and more. The TMF Physician’s Health Program (TMF-PHP) maintains a 24-hour, confidential phone line (615-467-6411) physicians may use for referrals to mental health providers. Calls made after hours will be returned within one business day. Physicians are strongly encouraged to contact the TMF directly with questions or concerns before a problem becomes career- or life-threatening.

The TMF also provides a separate service to physicians struggling with personal mental health. The Tennessee Professional Screening Questionnaire (TN-PSQ) is a free 24/7 voluntary, confidential, completely anonymous mental health self-screening tool, funded by donors and grant partners. This is a non-crisis service that will result in referrals to appropriate mental health resources and optional interaction with a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Your identity will not be known to the TMF or the TMA, and will not be known to the TN-PSQ counselor unless you choose to reveal it.

Judgment Index

As part of TMA’s strategic focus on improving physician wellness, the association is partnering with the Judgment Index™ (JI) to provide members with immediate insight into strengths and obstacles that impede effective decision-making. The goal is to foster personal development, leadership and resilience to support a healthy lifestyle and obtain a better balance with family, work and home.

State Resources

Prosper

The Nashville Academy of Medicine and the Medical Foundation of Nashville launched PROSPER to provide resources and support and to encourage Middle Tennessee physicians to reach out before they are in crisis.

LifeBridge

LifeBridge was created by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society and the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga to provide that resource and to encourage physicians to reach out before they are in a crisis.

Vitality Initiative Project

The Knoxville Academy of Medicine's VIP program is designed to help our physicians manage the rigors of work-life balance, long before the stressors impact their ability to practice medicine.

Thrive

The Memphis Medical Society and Memphis Medical Foundation launched Thrive, a physician wellness initiative where a physician can call or text a confidential hotline and be connected with a licensed psychologist.

Department of Health

The Tennessee Department of Health provides a variety of resources for people struggling with their mental health. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call the TN Statewide Crisis Line at 855-CRISIS-1.

Find Hope Franklin

Find Hope Franklin is a community-based resource with a mission to reduce the stigma association with mental health. It helps individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, addiction or suicidal thoughts.

National Resources

Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation

The Foundation’s mission is to reduce burnout of health care professionals and safeguard their well-being and job satisfaction. They envision a world where seeking mental health services is universally viewed as a sign of strength for health care professionals.

Physician Foundation

This nonprofit organization is steadfast in strengthening the physician-patient relationship, supporting medical practices’ sustainability and helping physicians navigate the changing health care system.

AMA's Burnout Center

American Medical Association is leading a movement to fight the system level drivers of physician burnout. The association is focused on removing administrative burdens, providing real-world solutions and helping physicians rediscover the joy in health care.