Medscape's 2016 Physician Lifestyle Report has revealed disparities among physician specialists regarding how happy they feel at and outside of work. The survey includes responses from more than 15,800 physicians across 25 specialties
Compared to other physicians, the following three specialists reported the highest levels of happiness at work:
- Dermatologists — 39 percent are happy at work
- Ophthalmologists — 38 percent
- Psychiatrists and mental health experts — 37 percent
These physicians reported the lowest levels of happiness at work:
- Internists — 24 percent are happy at work
- Intensivists — 25 percent
- Rheumatologists — 26 percent
Outside of work, the following three specialists reported the highest levels of happiness, compared to other physicians:
- Nephrologists — 68 percent are happy outside work
- Ophthalmologists — 66 percent
- Pulmonologists — 65 percent
These physicians reported the lowest levels of happiness outside of work:
- Intensivists — 50 percent are happy outside work
- Oncologists — 51 percent
- Internists — 53 percent
Ultimately, the 2016 report documents a "small though notable" decrease in happiness for nearly all the physician specialties.
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