What is the estimated lifespan of physicians by specialty?

Estimated Lifespan of Physicians by Specialty

Physicians generally live longer than the general population, with white male physicians having an average lifespan of 73.0 years and black male physicians 68.7 years, though this data is from older studies and current lifespans are likely higher. 1

General Mortality Patterns Among Physicians

Physicians demonstrate better mortality outcomes compared to the general population:

• Physicians have significantly lower all-cause mortality than the general population (SRR 0.45 for males and 0.60 for females) 2
• Physicians also have lower mortality than other health professionals (SRR 0.72 for males and 0.77 for females) 2
• The mortality advantage is primarily due to lower rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer 2
• This pattern suggests physicians generally make healthier personal choices than the general population 1

Specialty-Specific Mortality Risks

While comprehensive data comparing all specialties is limited, some specialties show distinct mortality patterns:

Anesthesiology

• Higher risk of death from suicide (Rate Ratio = 1.45) compared to internists 3
• Significantly higher risk of drug-related deaths (Rate Ratio = 2.79) 3
• Increased risk of death from cerebrovascular disease (Rate Ratio = 1.39) 3
• Male anesthesiologists have higher risk of death from HIV (Rate Ratio = 1.82) and viral hepatitis (Rate Ratio = 7.98) 3
• Drug-related mortality risk is highest in the first 5 years after medical school but remains elevated throughout career 3

Other High-Risk Specialties

• Psychiatrists, general practitioners, and general surgeons may have higher suicide risk 4
• Cardiology ranks 11th of 41 surveyed specialties in hours worked annually, which correlates with lower work satisfaction 5

Gender Differences in Physician Mortality

Gender significantly impacts physician mortality:

• Female physicians have a higher standardized mortality ratio for suicide (SMR = 1.9) compared to male physicians 4
• Female physicians in Austria show an SMR of 1.58 for suicide compared to the general female population 2
• Women physicians report higher rates of burnout (55%) than male physicians (44%), with administrative tasks being the primary cause 5
• The gender pay gap increases with age, potentially influencing retirement decisions and career satisfaction 6

Geographical Variations

• US physicians appear to be at higher suicide risk compared to physicians in the rest of the world 4
• Suicide rates among physicians have decreased over time, especially in Europe 4

Factors Affecting Physician Lifespan

Several factors may contribute to specialty-specific differences in mortality:

• Work hours: Specialties with more hours worked annually show lower work satisfaction 5
• Work-life balance: 57% of female physician leaders felt their career interfered with personal life 5
• Burnout: Higher in specialties with administrative burden and unpredictable schedules 5
• Surgical specialties: Physical demands and radiation exposure may affect long-term health 5
• Substance abuse: A significant occupational hazard, particularly for anesthesiologists 3

Career Flexibility and Longevity

• 27% of practicing cardiologists are age 61 years and over, with many seeking more flexibility to extend productive work years 5
• More than 2 of 5 currently active physicians will be 65 or older within the next decade 6
• Increasing flexibility across career stages may improve physician retention and well-being 5
• "All in" policies are being reconsidered to allow transitions to reduced hours and no-call schedules for senior physicians 6

Implications for Workforce Planning

• The average retirement age for physicians is between 60-69 years 6
• More than one-quarter of physicians are planning for retirement or "slowing down" within the next decade 6
• Some institutions implement cognitive assessment for physicians at age 65 and every 3 years thereafter 6
• There is no mandatory retirement age for physicians at the national level, though individual institutions may have policies 6

The data suggests that while physicians generally enjoy longer lifespans than the general population, certain specialties face unique mortality risks that should inform both individual career choices and institutional support systems.