Which physicians are most burnt out?

Physicians in Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB-GYN), Pediatrics, and Family Medicine consistently report some of the highest burnout rates, often due to high patient volumes, administrative burdens (like charting), high-stakes environments, emotional strain, and complex insurance/billing issues, with Emergency Medicine frequently topping lists for emotional fatigue and intensity. Other specialties like Internal Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Oncology, Neurology, Critical Care, and Anesthesiology also experience significant burnout.

Which physicians have the most burnout?

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%).

Which type of doctor has the highest rate of depression?

While findings vary slightly by study, recent data from organizations like the AMA and Medscape, often point to specialties like Urology, Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN), and Family Medicine as having some of the highest rates of depression or burnout, with front-line roles often being particularly affected. These areas involve high-stress, time-intensive care, bureaucracy, and challenging patient interactions, contributing to mental health challenges. 

What profession has the highest burnout rate?

Jobs with the highest burnout rates consistently involve high emotional demands, long hours, and critical decision-making, with Healthcare (nurses, doctors, social workers), Education, First Responders, Customer Service, and roles in Leisure & Hospitality frequently cited, alongside high-pressure sectors like Finance, Tech, and Media, often due to intense stress, constant pressure, and significant responsibility. 

What type of doctor gets the most time off?

TL;DR: The best medical specialties for work life balance are Teleradiology, Anesthesiology, Dermatology, Otolaryngology, Endocrinology, Clinical Pathology, Psychiatry, Ophthalmology, Allergy and Immunology, and Pediatrics.

Physician Burnout | Which doctors have the highest burnout rates?

What is the least stressful type of doctor?

10 Physician Specialities With Low-Stress & More Flexibility

• Dermatology.
• Anesthesiology.
• Ophthalmology.
• Pediatrics.
• Psychiatry.
• Clinical Immunology/Allergy.
• General/Clinical Pathology.
• Nephrology.

Which physician specialties are happiest?

Top 10 Happiest Medical Specialties

• Allergy and Immunology. Allergy & Immunology ranks #1 in physician-reported happiness, with 94% saying they feel happy and well-balanced. ...
• Pathology. ...
• Dermatology. ...
• Public Health & Preventive Medicine. ...
• Psychiatry. ...
• Ophthalmology. ...
• Otolaryngology (ENT) ...
• Orthopedics & Orthopedic Surgery.

What is the 42% rule for burnout?

The "42% rule for burnout" suggests high performers should spend at least 42% of their time resting and recovering (around 10 hours daily) to prevent burnout, encompassing sleep, gentle movement, hobbies, social connection, and true downtime, not just being inactive, to maintain well-being and avoid chronic stress overload. It's a concept promoting that sustainable success comes from balanced activity and intentional recovery, challenging the "hustle culture" that equates busyness with worth. 

Which profession has the highest depression?

While depression can arise in any job or career, research has shown that some of the most depressing careers include social workers, disability lawyers, long-term care administrators and nurses, mental health counsellors, and first responders.

What profession has the lowest burnout rate?

What careers have the lowest burnout rates? Jobs with predictable schedules, creative autonomy, and fewer life-or-death stakes tend to have the lowest burnout. In 2025, that includes diagnostic medical sonographers, compliance officers, hairstylists, tenured professors, and jewelers.

What is the most unhappy medical specialty?

According to the 2024 Medscape Physician Burnout & Depression Report, 63% of emergency medicine doctors have felt burned out—the most of any specialty—and they're followed by OB-GYNs (53%), oncologists (53%), and pediatricians (51%).

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in surgical and high-demand procedural specialties frequently earn over $500,000 annually, with top earners often being Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, and Thoracic Surgery, driven by complex skills, high demand (especially with aging populations), and lucrative elective procedures or emergency needs. Other fields like Radiology, Gastroenterology, Urology, and Anesthesiology also see average incomes exceeding this threshold.
 

What personality type are most doctors?

Using the division into 16personalities, the most common types were: ESFJ (Extroverted, Observant, Feeling, Judging; n=280, 13.3%), ISFJ (Introverted, Observant, Feeling, Judging; n=258, 12.3%), ENFJ (Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging; n=233, 11.1%), ENFP (Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Prospecting; n=210, 9.9 ...

What is the hardest doctor to become?

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.

How to avoid burnout as a physician?

How To Avoid Burnout As A Doctor

1. Recognise your stress levels. Your first step is to recognise and acknowledge that you are feeling stressed. ...
2. Take control over the things you CAN change. ...
3. Set firm boundaries. ...
4. Seek out social support at work. ...
5. Look after yourself. ...
6. Consider your overall health. ...
7. And finally, seek help.

What doctors are the most overworked?

1 | Emergency Medicine (63%)

At the top of our list with the highest burnout rate is emergency medicine at 63%. These physicians work on the front lines, treating everything from heart attacks to drug overdoses in high-pressure environments.

What profession has the worst mental health?

Other occupations with higher prevalence of frequent mental distress included:

• Food preparation and serving (1.20 times)
• Health care support (1.19 times)
• Sales and related occupations (1.13 times)

Which profession has the happiest people?

17 of the happiest jobs

1. Physician. National average salary: $217,850 per year Primary duties: Physicians, or doctors, provide physical, mental and emotional care to patients. ...
2. Software engineer. ...
3. Software developer. ...
4. Real estate agent. ...
5. Sales representative. ...
6. Logistics manager. ...
7. Fitness instructor. ...
8. Executive assistant.

Why are so many doctors depressed?

An emerging consensus exists that some aspects of physician training, working conditions, and organisational support are unacceptable. Changes in medical training and health systems, and the additional strain of working through a pandemic, might have amplified these problems.

What are the 3 R's of burnout?

The most common "3 Rs" for burnout are Recognize, Reverse, and Resilience, focusing on identifying warning signs, taking action to undo damage (like managing stress), and building long-term adaptability through self-care, though other versions exist like Relax, Reflect, Regroup or Recognize, Respond, Replenish. All approaches emphasize awareness of stress, taking corrective steps, and fostering preventative health habits to manage workload and emotional strain. 

Can I get fired for burnout?

Unfortunately, while you can't be fired for burnout, you can be fired for poor job performance.

What are the five stages of burnout?

The 5 stages of burnout, as outlined by various experts, typically progress from initial excitement to deep exhaustion, including the Honeymoon Phase (high energy/optimism), Stress Onset (stress creeps in), Chronic Stress (unmanaged stress leads to fatigue/irritability), the actual Burnout Phase (emptiness, cynicism, isolation), and finally, Habitual Burnout (deep depression, chronic problems, a sense of being trapped). Recognizing these stages early allows for intervention to prevent severe mental and physical collapse.
 

What is the chillest doctor specialty?

Public Health & Preventive Medicine

It's probably the least stressful medical specialty overall, although it's not always the most popular among medical students because of the rarity of patient interaction.

Who are doctors' favorite patients?

Favorite patients have a number of positive characteristics; most often, they are long term patients who have significant illnesses. “Some of it is their personality, some of it things we have in common, and some of it is their stories… they're favorites for [different reasons].”

What specialty has the happiest marriages?

Orthopedic surgeons are tied for happy marriages with general surgeons. They come in behind pulmonary medicine specialists (91%), otolaryngologists (90%), endocrinologists (90%), ophthalmologists (89%), gastroenterologists (87%), neurologists (86%) and cardiologists (86%).