Top 10 Happiest Medical Specialties

Looking for a medical specialty that offers financial stability and a happy lifestyle while complementing your passion for medicine? Continue reading and discover the top ten happiest medical specialties that you should consider. 

Embarking on a long medical career is undoubtedly an exhilarating and mind-numbing experience filled to the brim with many opportunities. However, while being a high-paying career, the medical field is notoriously known for being a highly stressful and lonely environment. 

Working as a medical professional means giving up your happiness to become successful — a widespread medical misconception. That is not the case at all.

Despite what you have been led to believe, most physicians are satisfied and happy with their jobs. Approximately 60% report feeling happy outside of the hospital and work, while a good 73% say that they would choose medicine again if given a chance.

Medical specialties can play a role in your happiness as a professional in the medical field. This article will help explore the happiest medical specialties in the field that you can pursue to achieve a satisfying career in the healthcare industry.

Family Medicine

Unlike other medical specialties in the industry that are mainly limited to a specific disease or organ, family physicians are among the only qualified professionals trained to treat a broad range of illnesses and offer comprehensive care to all age groups — from toddlers to seniors.

This medical specialty focuses on caring for and treating the community as a whole. With the profession involving direct work and interaction with the patient, family medicine is undoubtedly one of the most fulfilling medical specialties in healthcare.

Family physicians and doctors are also uniquely positioned to foster long-term patient relationships. These doctors can provide general care to families and see through multiple generations — from cradle to cane.

That allows them to create and build a bond with the family for a lifetime. Also, family doctors tend to have regular working hours, giving them a much more flexible social life.

Dermatology

A dermatologist is a medical professional qualified to treat and diagnose conditions that affect the nails, skin, and hair. They are considered among the most well-rounded professionals to grace the hospital halls.

They are trained to treat various skin-related conditions with varying severity — from simple acne to more severe psoriasis. These doctors help patients manage their conditions better through medication and lifestyle changes. 

They are also the professionals to go to for cosmetic concerns and issues like age spots and wrinkles.

The fantastic benefit of being a dermatologist is that they spend most of their time inside their own offices. They rarely needed to see their patients in a surgery or operating room.

That also means they are primarily independent and hardly need to work with other doctors. Dermatologists also don’t have the constant worry of being called in suddenly during the night or on their day off.

This professional also has the opportunity to form long-term relationships and rapport with their patients. Lastly, they are also paid a rather generous and hefty salary. 

Pediatrics

Those that take joy and pleasure in helping and interacting with kids should be able to find happiness in pediatrics. This medical specialty is focused on the physical, social, and emotional health of children and infants. 

Pediatricians are trained to diagnose and treat various conditions for this age group. It could range from common colds and flu to more complicated cases like chronic conditions. 

Aside from treating kids, pediatricians also offer preventative care to kids. They conduct regular check-ups and give vaccinations to ensure the kids are healthy and developing normally.

The wonder and joy of working with amazing kids and their families are what makes pediatrics a happy medical specialty. Add to that the satisfaction of being able to treat young kids and help them feel better.

Psychiatry

Psychiatry offers unique working privileges that would make most medical specialties green with envy. It promises good pay and offers shorter working hours than most.

Psychiatrists are equipped to diagnose and treat various mental health conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, PTSD, psychosis, and many more. Also, note that psychiatrists are not just limited to hospitals alone.

They can also conduct private practices and work in outpatient facilities. While the job can be stressful, the benefits help ease it. 

You can easily spend your weekends and day offs with your family without worrying about getting constant work calls. They also tend to have reasonable control of their schedules and working hours. 

Those great work-balance attributes make psychiatry a happy medical specialty to practice.

Anaesthesiology

Anaesthesiologists are critical players in the operating room. They ensure that the patient on the table is safe and comfortable during the surgical procedure.

That enough is incredibly rewarding and satisfying in the healthcare industry.

Their role involves pain management, vital sign monitoring, perioperative care, and critical patient care. While they have long hours at work, they have better control of their time than most physicians in the industry.

They have a high degree of control over the patient’s outcome, and their level of responsibility also offers great satisfaction and a sense of purpose.

Anaesthesiologists are also not the kind that is often called upon for emergencies outside of regularly scheduled surgeries. They are also expected to collaborate closely with other physicians and medical professionals.

Emergency Medicine

While considered demanding and fast-paced, emergency medicine is still one of the happiest medical specialties in the field, mainly due to its many unique opportunities and challenges. These doctors are trained to think fast on their feet, manage critical medical situations, and make crucial medical decisions under pressure. 

These doctors are primarily assigned to the emergency departments of clinics, hospitals, and other medical care facilities. They often see a diverse patient population with a wide range of health conditions. 

It is considered a happy medical specialty due to the flexible scheduling, with many of its physicians usually working 12-hour shifts that give them a chance to have an excellent work-life balance.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

This medical specialty specializes in women’s reproductive health. Obstetrics and Gynecology, OB/GYNs for short, offer comprehensive care and treatment to women of different ages — from puberty to menopause. 

They are equipped and qualified to diagnose and treat a broad range of medical conditions involving a woman’s reproductive system, like infertility, gynecological cancer, menstrual disorders, and sexually transmitted infections. 

Aside from that, OB/GYNs are also responsible for caring for pregnant women. They offer care before and during childbirth. They are mainly responsible for monitoring the mother and baby’s health.

OB/GYNs are often happy and satisfied with their work due to their positive impact on the lives of women and their families. 

Cardiology

A cardiologist is a medical professional specializing in the cardiovascular system‘s health, the part of the body responsible for the circulation and supply of blood throughout the body, including the heart and blood vessels. 

They are tasked to use various diagnostic tools, tests, and procedures, like stress tests and echocardiograms.

Cardiologists are considered happy due to their ability to impact the lives of their patients. They can help their patients manage, treat, and prevent heart disease — one of the leading causes of death in the world.

General Surgery

General surgeons are versatile doctors with a diverse range of skill sets and responsibilities on their shoulders. They can diagnose their patient’s conditions and plan surgical interventions to perform and conduct surgeries.

They have the unique opportunity to perform various surgical procedures, keeping them motivated and interested in their field. They wouldn’t get instantly bored by dealing with the same medical cases and performing the same surgeries daily. 

Being hands-on specialists, they have the chance to see their direct impact on the lives of their patients. They can witness the help and relief they offer to these people. 

Also, general surgeons work in a collaborative and team-based setting and environment. That means they get to form bonds with other medical professionals. 

Clinical Immunology/Allergy

An allergist and immunologist work with people with allergies and immune system disorders or issues. They diagnose these medical conditions, develop effective treatment plans, and monitor their patient’s progress over time.

This medical specialty allows you to spend time with family and friends and is not considered highly demanding or taxing. These doctors can also work outside of hospitals.

They can see their patients in a more private setting, like private clinics or offices. Overall, they often spend their time working with patients in a one-on-one setting or situation. 

There you have it — the top ten happiest medical specialists compiled in one list. While being a medical professional or physician is challenging and demanding, you can still be happy and satisfied.

Being a doctor doesn’t mean you need to marry your work. You can still have a good work-life balance if you plan your medical specialty well.

Note that in choosing, you must also consider your personality, long-term goals, and lifestyle. To be truly efficient with your work, you need to be at least happy to continue being motivated.

Being satisfied and happy with your career is essential to consider yourself successful in medicine. Remember that how you feel about your job can translate to your personal life, affecting your health and relationships. 

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Until the next one, my friend…