16 specialties by depression, burnout rates

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Neurologists reported the highest rate of burnout at 43% while oncologists reported the highest rate of depression at 15%, according to Medscape.

Medscape surveyed more than 5,700 physicians across more than 29 specialties between July 1 and Oct. 2. The results were compiled into a a general report,”‘If Boundaries Are Set, It Is Possible’: Medscape Physician Mental Health & Well-Being Report 2025,” that included metrics from all specialties. Separate reports were also published, broken down according to specialty.

Across all specialties, 29% of physicians reported feeling burned out, 6% reported feeling depressed and 18% feeling both burned out and depressed.

Here are 16 specialties with their reported rates of burnout, depression or both.

Cardiology

Burn out: 23%

Depression: 8%

Both: 15%

Dermatology

Burn out: 26%

Depression: 6%

Both: 20%

Emergency medicine

Burn out: 36%

Depression: 5%

Both: 20%

Endocrinology

Burn out: 31%

Depression: 11%

Both: 11%

Family medicine

Burn out: 32%

Depression: 4%

Both: 20%

Gastroentology

Burn out: 29%

Depression: 10%

Both: 14%

Hospitalist

Burn out: 27%

Depression: 12%

Both: 17%

Neurology

Burn out: 43%

Depression: 4%

Both: 18%

OBGYN

Burn out: 27%

Depression: 5%

Both: 23%

Oncology

Burn out: 24%

Depression: 15%

Both: 21%

Ophthalmology 

Burn out: 28%

Depression: 2%

Both: 17%

Orthopedics

Burn out: 29%

Depression: 7%

Both: 16%

Pediatrics

Burn out: 32%

Depression: 5%

Both: 16%

Plastic surgery

Burn out: 23%

Depression: 13%

Both: 19%

Psychiatry

Burn out: 26%

Depression: 2%

Both: 14%

Urology

Burn out: 36%

Depression: 6%

Both: 21%

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