Specialties with the highest rates of happiness, balance: Survey

Despite 47% reporting burnout and 24% reporting depression, a recent Medscape survey found that 76% of physicians believe it is possible to be happy and live a well-balanced life within the medical profession. However, opinions varied widely on whether this is attainable within their specific specialty.

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Physicians were asked, “Can doctors in your specialty be happy and well-balanced?” Below are the shares of respondents who replied, “Yes.”

Allergy and immunology: 94%

Pathology: 88%

Dermatology: 87%

Public health and preventive medicine: 87%

Psychiatry: 87%

Ophthalmology: 84%

Otolaryngology: 81%

Orthopedics and orthopedic surgery: 81%

Physical medicine and rehabilitation: 80%

Anesthesiology: 79%

Gastroenterology: 79%

Pediatrics: 78%

Plastic surgery: 78%

Radiology: 76%

Cardiology: 76%

Diabetes and endocrinology: 76%

Urology: 72%

Family medicine: 72%

Pulmonary medicine: 69%

Nephrology: 69%

OB-GYN: 68%

Oncology and hematology: 68%

General surgery: 68%

Neurology: 68%

Rheumatology: 67%

Internal medicine: 66%

Critical care: 65%

Infectious diseases: 63%

Emergency medicine: 63%

The “‘If Boundaries Are Set, It Is Possible’: Medscape Physician Mental Health & Well-Being Report 2025” surveyed 5,741 physicians across 29 specialties from July 1 to Oct. 2, 2024.

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