Although burnout is a well-documented issue for physicians across the U.S., half of physicians reported they are "extremely" or "very" happy with their personal lives, according to Medscape's 2018 Physician Lifestyle & Happiness Report.
Medscape asked more than 15,000 U.S. physicians across 29 specialties questions about their lifestyles and experiences with burnout and depression. The report covers lifestyle issues such as work satisfaction, vacation time, religion, marriage, exercise and social tendencies.
Here are seven report insights.
1. Allergists are the happiest physicians, with 61 percent reporting they are happy with life outside of work. Dermatologists and emergency medicine physicians are the next happiest, both at 58 percent.
2. The least happy physicians are cardiologists at 40 percent, public health and preventive medicine physicians at 41 percent and oncologists at 42 percent.
3. Forty-nine percent of physicians said they take three to four weeks of vacation per year, and 18 percent take even more vacation time off. However, a third of respondents said they take two or fewer weeks of vacation per year.
4. Seventy-three percent of physicians said they have religious or spiritual beliefs that help them cope with stress.
5. Most physicians — 77 percent — are married and nearly half —47 percent — are married to another physician or healthcare provider.
6. Nearly half of physicians said they are trying to lose or maintain their weight and 58 percent exercise at least two to three times per week.
7. When asked about social tendencies, 51 percent of physicians reported they have three or fewer close friends. Thirty-five percent said they lean towards being an introvert, while 38 percent said they fall somewhere between extrovert and introvert.