Around 76% of physicians believe that happiness and balance are attainable in their profession, according to Medscape's 2025 "Physician Mental Health and Well-Being Report," published Jan. 31.
A larger percentage of orthopedists and orthopedic surgeons (81%) believe that they can maintain both happiness and balance. To compile the report, Medscape surveyed 5,741 physicians across more than 29 specialties.
Orthopedic surgeons rank in the upper one-third of the list, in terms of the highest percentages of happiness and balance. Allergists and immunologists ranked the happiest and most well-balanced specialty, while infectious disease and emergency medicine specialists were among the least.
Orthopedic surgeons rank fifth on the list, tied with otolaryngologists.