Dermatology is the happiest specialty, while general surgery is the least happy, a July 9 Medscape report found.
Medscape’s “How Doctors Are Really Doing: Physician Mental Health & Well-Being Report 2026” surveyed 5,159 physicians across more than 29 specialties between Jan. 15 and April 16. The survey asked about physicians’ health habits and overall happiness.
Among Millennial physicians, 42% reported their happiness has remained the same over the past three years, compared to 46% of earlier generations. However, physicians older than 40 reported their overall happiness had worsened.
By gender, the percentages of physicians who reported an improvement or reduction in happiness were similar. Among women physicians, 32% said their happiness had worsened compared to 28% for men; and 27% of women reported improvements in happiness compared to 25% for men.
Here are the happiest physician specialties along with the percentage of physicians who said it was possible to be a happy, well-balanced person as a practitioner in that specialty.
1. Dermatology: 91%
2. Allergy and immunology: 85%
2. Gastroenterology: 85%
2. Psychiatry: 85%
5. Ophthalmology: 84%
5. Public health and preventive medicine: 84%
7. Radiology: 83%
7. Pathology: 83%
9. Physical medicine and rehabilitation: 82%
9. Infectious diseases: 82%
11. Plastic surgery: 81%
12. Orthopedics and orthopedic surgery: 80%
13. Anesthesiology: 78%
13. Otolaryngology: 78%
13. Rheumatology: 78%
16. Neurology: 77%
16. Pediatrics: 77%
16. Pulmonary medicine: 77%
19. Urology: 75%
20. Diabetes and endocrinology: 74%
20. Cardiology: 74%
22. Critical care: 72%
22. Nephrology: 72%
24. Oncology and hematology: 71%
25. OBGYN: 69%
25. Family medicine: 69%
27. Internal medicine: 66%
28. Emergency medicine: 64%
29. General surgery: 60%
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.