29 physician specialties ranked by 2021 burnout rates

Emergency medicine physicians have the highest rates of burnout among all physician specialties, according to a Medscape's 2022 Physician Burnout and Depression report. 

More than 13,000 physicians across 29 specialties were surveyed between June 29 and Sept. 26, 2021. Across all specialties, 47 percent reported feeling burned out last year. 

Here's how each specialty stacked up: 

Note: This list includes ties. 

1. Emergency medicine — 60 percent of physicians reported burnout

2. Critical care — 56 percent

3. Obstetrics and gynecology — 53 percent 

4. Infectious diseases — 51 percent 

Family medicine — 51 percent

5. Physical medicine and rehabilitation — 50 percent