Reviewed by:
Third-Year Medical Student, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Reviewed: 5/27/24
Looking for a specialty that offers a fulfilling and happy lifestyle to complement your passion for medicine? Read on to discover the specialties that physicians found most rewarding!
Whether you're looking for a career that is financially rewarding, intellectually stimulating, or personally fulfilling, we've got you covered. We’ll explore the happiest medical specialties that you can pursue for a satisfying healthcare career.
Medscape collected data from thousands of practicing physicians across the United States. All participants were able to take part in an online survey that took less than 15 minutes. Physicians were able to respond to how happy they would describe their life away from work.
A recent report stated that these physicians were happiest in their medical specialties:
In the same report, these physicians reported being the least happy in their specialty:
If you’re unsure of which medical specialty is best suited for you, consider giving our Medical Specialty quiz a try. It looks at various factors from your background to determine which environment you’ll thrive best in!
Let's take a closer look at the top 10 medical specialties that are known for providing a satisfying work-life balance and overall happiness, according to Medscape’s Physician Lifestyle & Happiness Report.
Plastic surgeons top the list as the happiest medical specialty, with 71% considering their life outside of work happy. Being a plastic surgeon means you’ll be able to make a difference in people’s lives from all kinds of backgrounds.
While many people may associate plastic surgery with superficial aesthetics, thousands of people seek out plastic surgeons after enduring traumas or accidents.
On the cosmetic side, you’ll have patients voluntarily wanting to see you for non-emergency procedures. Seeing the results and patient satisfaction can help plastic surgeons feel like they’re positively enhancing the lives of others.
Public health is the second happiest medical specialty, with 69% reporting as happy. As our communities grow larger and more sophisticated, we’re faced with greater public health challenges.
The medical experts who are responsible for minimizing viruses spreading throughout communities can easily save millions of lives. Having such a large impact undoubtedly contributes to physician happiness.
In addition, preventative medicine addresses a lot of non-urgent healthcare aspects. This means the job role can be less stressful than a role such as trauma surgery.
About 65% of orthopedic physicians report being happy outside of work. Being able to treat musculoskeletal problems as an orthopedic doctor means the job varies significantly compared to other specialties.
Orthopediatrians see all kinds of patients, from those who have sports injuries or congenital disorders all the way to those dealing with degenerative diseases.
Being an orthopedic doctor can mean making a difference in the day-to-day lives of patients. Simple movements like walking and turning can become compromised by unforeseen events and circumstances. An orthopedic doctor can help restore these crucial motor movements.
Otolaryngologists enjoy a high happiness rating, with 65% reporting their life away from work as happy or very happy. This medical specialty is concerned with disorders of the head and neck. Otolaryngologists have extensive knowledge relating to the ears, nose, and throat.
The sensory perceptions of the ears, nose, and throat play are critical in our lives. Having a physician who is able to diagnose and treat conditions related to these areas means patients are able to enjoy greater life satisfaction with these treatments.
At least 63% of urologists describe their lives away from work as happy. Urologists are able to diagnose and treat a range of disorders that relate to the urinary system in men and women. They also treat issues concerning the male reproductive system.
Urologists have a broad scope of practice and deal with complex problems. Their work can include cancers of the urinary system, fertility issues with men, and different kinds of surgeries, such as kidney transplants and vasectomies.
Doctors who practice physical medicine and rehabilitation have a high happiness rating of 63%. They help treat patients with issues concerning loss of function, which can be caused by strokes, injuries, and nerve damage.
One of the highlights of physical medicine is being able to see patients progress through treatments and restore functions. After going through a traumatic event or injury, getting all body functions to their original health can take specialized treatment plans.
About 62% of ophthalmologists describe themselves as being happy or very happy outside of work. These medical specialists can treat a range of diseases and disorders that involve the eyes and visual system.
Conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma can impact the day-to-day lives of people, depriving them of visual acuity. Ophthalmologists focus on treatments and solutions to these kinds of disorders to help patients live happy and full lives.
As one of the happiest medical specialties, dermatology ranks at number seven, with 62% of them being happy. Skin is the largest organ in the human body with numerous potential disorders and complications.
Individuals with eczema, carcinoma, and acne rely on dermatologists to develop treatment plans and solutions for their skin ailments.
Pathologists have a happiness rating of 62%, meaning the majority find their lives happy and fulfilling. These medical specialists focus on diagnosing medical conditions by studying tissue and fluid samples.
Pathology can be seen as a very laboratory-based specialty. Studying samples plays a vital role in the day-to-day practice of a pathologist. Using various tools to study samples, such as microscopes and lab cultures, is also part of the job.
Data shows that 62% of gastroenterologists describe themselves as happy or very happy. Doctors in this area study and treat disorders of the digestive system.
Although there is no surgery in the profession, gastroenterologists have a deep understanding of organs such as the stomach, pancreas, and liver. Knowledge of nutrition can also play a key part in treatment plans and patient prognosis.
Still wondering which medical specialties are the happiest? Take a look at these frequently asked questions for more information!
According to studies, family medicine is considered the happiest medical specialty. While happiness is subjective and varies from individual to individual, family medicine doctors generally report high levels of job satisfaction and work-life balance.
Psychiatry and neurology are often regarded as the least stressful medical specialties. These fields typically involve regular work hours, minimal on-call duties, and a focus on patient care through diagnosis and treatment of mental health and neurological conditions.
General surgery is frequently cited as the most stressful medical specialty. Surgeons face demanding work schedules, long hours in the operating room, and high-pressure situations that require quick decision-making and precise technical skills.
Medscape's report indicates that medical specialties such as otolaryngology, allergy and immunology, and dermatology have the highest rates of happy marriages among medical professionals. These specialties often offer a better work-life balance, allowing doctors to spend more quality time with their families.
Family medicine is known for offering one of the best lifestyles among medical specialties. Family doctors typically enjoy normal work hours, a good work-life balance, and the flexibility to either join established practices or set up their own.
If you're looking for a medical specialty that provides a fulfilling and happy lifestyle, there are many options available to you. From family medicine to cardiology, these happiest medical specialties offer physicians the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
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