Radiology ranks highly among medical specialties for work-life balance

Radiology ranks highly among medical specialties for its perceived work-life balance, according to new survey data from Medscape. 

The poll reached nearly 5,200 physicians between January and April, including about 155 radiologists. Docs were asked questions about their mental health, including whether “it was possible to be a happy, well-balanced person as a practitioner in their specialty.” 

About 83% of radiologists responded yes to this question, placing the profession at seventh on the list. Dermatologists came in at No. 1, with 91% believing this balance is possible, while general surgeons were last at 60%. Medscape believes this 31-point gap is “telling,” with the data signifying “something deeper than individual personality differences.” 

Rather, the results may reflect “how a physician’s choice of specialty can shape their personal life.” 

"Specialty certainly factors into physicians' health but is not the only determinant of it,” Daniel Careaga, MD, a Coral Gables, Florida-based physician, told Medscape. “Plastic surgery gives me the opportunity to establish lasting relationships with my patients, follow their healing and care, and watch meaningful improvement in quality of life over time. Every specialty comes with its own pressures and responsibilities.” 

Medscape highlighted stagnation in the numbers when tracing back to 2023. Over 80% of physicians said their friendships have stayed the same or worsened over the last three years. Friendships typically are the “first casualty of a demanding career,” the report noted, and can be the hardest to rebuild. Meanwhile, about 30% of physicians surveyed said their overall happiness had worsened (vs. 25% who said it improved). Another 34% said their work-life balance had degraded (27% improved), and 18% reported deteriorating family relationships (vs. 23% improved).

Older doctors appeared somewhat likelier to say their overall happiness has dipped. Female docs also were slightly more skeptical about happiness trending upward than men. Across all respondents, over 70% of physicians believe personal happiness and balance are attainable in their career. That’s compared to 9% who said no and 20% who marked “unsure.” 

The survey also explores some of the ways in which physicians are working to mitigate burnout and keep themselves happy. 

“Diet, physical activity, and engaging in meaningful hobbies are among the most protective ways to prevent burnout. However, the dilemma lies in the fact that typically people don't see diet, physical activity, and other forms of self-care as essential when their schedule becomes extremely full," Shannon Franklin, PsyD, co-founder and director of clinical training at Element Q Healing Center in San Diego, told the website. 

"Self-care is one of the first areas that professionals will cut back on when their schedules get too hectic; however, it is also one of the first items that will give them the resilience needed to be effective,” Franklin added.