Medical students are increasingly concerned with work-life balance when considering medical specialties and career options. There are many factors that contribute to work-life balance, and some may consider certain factors to be more important than others. We’ve broken down the top 5 medical specialties for work-life balance below (in no particular order). Read more here for other factors to consider when choosing a medical specialty.
Best Medical Specialties for Great Work-Life Balance
The following specialties were highlighted (in no particular order) based on average hours worked per week, on-call schedule, and average vacation time (percentage of physicians who reported at least 3 weeks annual vacation). The Association of American Medical Colleges has also compiled excellent additional data on physician satisfaction and other factors medical students may consider when choosing a specialty.
1. Dermatology
| Dermatology: weekly work schedule | |
| average hours per week | 45.4 |
| on-call schedule | low |
| Dermatology: Weeks of vacation | 61% (3+) |
| less than 1 week | 12% |
| 1-2 weeks | 27% |
| 3-4 weeks | 49% |
| 5-6 weeks | 07% |
| more than 6 weeks | 05% |
2. Psychiatry
| Psychiatry: weekly work schedule | |
| average hours per week | 46.5 |
| on-call schedule | low |
| Psychiatry: Weeks of vacation | 63% (3+) |
| less than 1 week | 08% |
| 1-2 weeks | 30% |
| 3-4 weeks | 47% |
| 5-6 weeks | 12% |
| more than 6 weeks | 04% |
3. Neurology
| Neurology: weekly work schedule | |
| average hours per week | 50.8 |
| on-call schedule | medium |
| Neurology: Weeks of vacation | 60% (3+) |
| less than 1 week | 10% |
| 1-2 weeks | 31% |
| 3-4 weeks | 43% |
| 5-6 weeks | 12% |
| more than 6 weeks | 05% |
4. Ophthalmology
| ophthalmology: weekly work schedule | |
| average hours per week | 51 |
| on-call schedule | medium |
| ophthalmology: Weeks of vacation | 63% (3+) |
| less than 1 week | 06% |
| 1-2 weeks | 31% |
| 3-4 weeks | 41% |
| 5-6 weeks | 11% |
| more than 6 weeks | 11% |
5. Pediatrics
| Pediatrics: weekly work schedule | |
| average hours per week | 47 |
| on-call schedule | medium |
| pediatrics: Weeks of vacation | 65% (3+) |
| less than 1 week | 06% |
| 1-2 weeks | 29% |
| 3-4 weeks | 51% |
| 5-6 weeks | 11% |
| more than 6 weeks | 03% |
Final Thoughts
There are many factors to consider when choosing a medical specialty, and some factors will be more important than others depending on personal preferences and priorities. Read more here on choosing a medical specialty. Or visit the Association of American Medical Colleges website for more information on medical specialty options.
