When it comes to medical specialties, some are considered to be less stressful than others. Pathology, dermatology, family medicine, radiology, ophthalmology, psychiatry and dentistry are all considered to be relatively low-stress specialties. Pathology involves the diagnosis of diseases by laboratory analysis of tissues and body fluids such as blood and urine. It is considered an undemanding specialty due to its controllable hours and quiet work environment.
Radiology focuses on diagnostics and analysis using X-rays and other imaging technologies. Ophthalmology specializes in eye and visual care, while psychiatry involves the study of human behavioral and mental processes and their associated disorders. Dermatology is a specialty that studies human skin. These specialties are considered low-stress due to their reasonable hours, lack of sudden medical emergencies or unpredictable situations, and the fact that they do not involve intense medical procedures or critical patients.
In addition, residency (postgraduate medical training) in these fields usually takes 3-4 years. When asked how they cope with burnout, half of respondents chose to exercise, while 46 percent said they talked to family or close friends, and 42 percent indicated they slept. Unfortunately, however, some physicians' coping mechanisms were not ideal, with 36 percent claiming they isolate themselves from others, while a third eat junk food and 22 percent drink alcohol. When thinking about becoming a doctor, medical students may be interested to know which specialties can be considered the least stressful medical jobs.
Pathology, dermatology and family medicine are often considered relatively less stressful than other medical specialties. Radiology, ophthalmology, psychiatry and dentistry are also considered low-stress specialties due to their reasonable hours, lack of sudden medical emergencies or unpredictable situations, and the fact that they do not involve intense medical procedures or critical patients.
