How many hours do doctors work a week?

Doctors' weekly work hours vary greatly by specialty, experience, and location, but generally range from 40 to over 60 hours, with many specialists like surgeons often working 60+ hours, while some primary care or emergency doctors might average closer to 40-50 hours, though long shifts (60-80+ hours) are common, especially during residency.

How many hours a week do UK doctors work?

Working hours

The average maximum working week for resident doctors is 48 hours. If you decide to opt out of the working time regulations (WTR), your hours are capped at a maximum average of 56 working hours a week. As far as possible, we make sure doctors are not rostered to work more than one in three weekends.

Do doctors work 7 days on 7 days off?

Yes, many hospital-based doctors, especially hospitalists, work a common "7 days on, 7 days off" schedule, working long shifts (often 12 hours) for a week, including weekends, then having a full week off, which allows for long periods of rest but can lead to burnout during work weeks. This schedule ensures continuity of care for patients but is just one model, with other specialties like emergency medicine or surgery having different patterns, and some doctors even prefer more frequent, shorter shifts.
 

Do doctors work 9 to 5?

No, most doctors do not work a standard 9-to-5; their hours are often long, irregular, and include nights, weekends, and on-call shifts, varying greatly by specialty, with roles like ER or OB/GYN having less fixed schedules, while some outpatient or VA physicians might find more 9-to-5 opportunities, though still typically exceeding 40 hours weekly. 

How many hours a week does a GP work?

Hutchinson et al analysed the trends in full-time working in general practice from 2010 to 2021. They found that more than half (54.6%) of GPs work at least the full-time definition of 37.5 hours per week. This article also discussed what we mean by a 'session'.

How many hours do doctors ACTUALLY work?

Can a doctor work 40 hours a week?

Work Schedules

Most physicians and surgeons work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Many physicians and surgeons work long shifts, which may include irregular and overnight hours or being on call. Physicians and surgeons may travel between their offices and the hospital to care for patients.

What is the most overworked doctor?

Emergency medicine physicians experience the most intense burnout, with the highest emotional fatigue (68%) and depersonalization (55%). Therapists reported the next-highest rate of emotional fatigue at 61%, along with the highest mental fatigue (77%).

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in high-demand surgical and specialized fields like Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, Radiology, Cardiology, and Gastroenterology often earn over $500,000 annually, with some top earners in Thoracic Surgery or Neurosurgery making significantly more, while even family doctors can reach this level through practice ownership or specialized services.
 

What is the hardest job as a doctor?

So, let us look at the top 5 most competitive specialties that conclude the debate of what is the hardest doctor to become.

• Plastic Surgery. ...
• Neurosurgery. ...
• Radiation oncology. ...
• ENT. ...
• Orthopedic Surgery.

What is the golden rule for doctors?

A modern version of that oath puts it this way: “I shall do by my patients as I would be done by.” This is the doctor's version of the golden rule. It places the patient as someone to be treated justly, purely and with every ounce of a physician's talents.

What is the longest shift a doctor can work?

Yes, doctors can work 24-hour shifts. They are not on their feet, working for the duration of the shift, however. The 24 hours alludes to how long they're on call. Physicians are permitted to rest when they can find time during this shift, but they must be ready to go if or when they are called to attend to a patient.

What doctor gets the most time off?

In online forums, hospitalists, nocturnists and intensivists boast having some of the most free time. Even though most hospitalists work 84 hours a week doing 12-hour shifts for seven days straight, they have the next seven days off.

Is being a doctor a stressful job?

Yes, being a doctor is often highly stressful, given the immense responsibilities and pressures associated with the profession. One significant source of stress is the necessity to make critical decisions quickly and accurately, sometimes in life-threatening situations.

How much does a GP earn per hour?

Average NHS General Practitioner hourly pay in the United Kingdom is approximately £32.73, which is 57% below the national average. Salary estimated from 1,548 past and present job postings on Indeed. Please note that all salary figures are approximations based upon third party submissions to Indeed.

How old is the youngest surgeon?

The youngest person to perform surgery is widely recognized as Akrit Jaswal from India, who was 7 years old when he successfully operated on an 8-year-old burn victim in 2000, freeing her fused fingers, a feat that stunned the medical world and brought him international fame, including an appearance on Oprah. While he wasn't a fully qualified surgeon with a degree, he demonstrated advanced surgical skill at a remarkably young age, leading to his title as the "world's youngest surgeon".
 

Is the average doctor a millionaire?

One-quarter of doctors in their 60s are not even millionaires. The chart from the prior year was even more stunning, as it showed 11%-12% of doctors in their 60s didn't even have a net worth over $500,000, and only 48% of doctors over 65 were multi-millionaires.

What doctor makes the least money?

The lowest-paid doctor specialties are often pediatric subspecialties, with Pediatric Endocrinology frequently cited as the lowest, followed closely by Pediatric Rheumatology, Infectious Disease, and Hematology/Oncology, alongside general Pediatrics, Public Health/Preventive Medicine, and Medical Genetics, due to factors like broad training needs, lower patient volume for complex cases, and systemic compensation structures, though salaries vary by source and year. 

Who is the richest medical doctor?

Patrick Soon-Shiong is a South African-born American surgeon, professor and researcher, entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist. As of November 2016, Soon-Shiong was estimated by Forbes as having a net worth of US$11.5 billion, making him the richest doctor in world.

Who are the happiest doctors?

Doctors in the following fields had the highest rates of agreeing that happiness in their specialty was possible:

• 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%

Why are doctors so tired?

Physicians often face pressure to see a high volume of patients within limited time frames. This can result in rushed appointments and compromise the quality of care delivered. Additionally, long working hours and on-call schedules further exacerbate the issue, leading to physical and emotional exhaustion.

What is the hardest doctor to become?

The Hardest Residency Specialties and What to Expect

• General Surgery. ...
• Neurosurgery. ...
• Orthopedic Surgery. ...
• Ophthalmology. ...
• Otolaryngology. ...
• Plastic Surgery. ...
• Urology. ...
• Interventional Radiology. In interventional radiology, applicants must match both a prelim spot and a PGY2 spot for IR.

Do surgeons make more than doctors?

As you can see, surgeons tend to make more money than nonsurgical physicians. In fact, the five highest-paying medical specialties are all surgical specialties—oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, thoracic surgery, and neurosurgery.

How much do beginner doctors make in the UK?

In Foundation training, you will earn a basic salary of £38,831 to £44,439 (from 1 April 2025). If you're a doctor starting your specialist training in 2025 your basic salary will be £52,656 to £73,992.