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Gastroenterology vs. Psychiatry: Which Specialty is Right for You?

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by Yousmle Staff in Career

Gastroenterology vs. psychiatry is one of the debates among medical students interested in physiology. Both specialties allow you to explore the complex workings of the human body and use your skills to improve patient outcomes. However, they also have significant differences, such as the scope of practice, the work environment, and the training requirements.

How do you decide which one is right for you? In this article, we will provide helpful information and tips to help you make an intelligent decision on gastroenterology vs. psychiatry and find a fulfilling career that matches your interests and abilities. We will also help you evaluate practical factors such as job availability, salary, and training duration.

Gastroenterology vs. Psychiatry: Salary and Job Security

Gastroenterology might be your specialty if you want to earn a lot of money and have a steady demand for your services. But be prepared for a competitive job market after fellowship, even if you graduate from a prestigious program.

Psychiatry, meanwhile, offers more job openings. You can easily find a hospital that needs psychiatrists, and the career outlook is positive, even if the salary is not as high as gastroenterology. But psychiatry also comes with some challenges, such as higher burnout and less job security, which we will discuss later.

According to recent data, gastroenterologists earn an average annual salary of $501,000, while psychiatrists have a lower average salary of $309,000.

Estimated Physician Average Yearly Salary by Medical Specialty in the US

Gastroenterologists earn $501,000 per year on average, while psychiatrists earn less with $309,000 annually

Gastroenterology vs. Psychiatry: Competitiveness

Here we can assess the competitiveness of a specialty by looking at the unmatched rate – the % of people who apply and do not match their preferred specialty. For psychiatry, the unmatched percentage among US Seniors was 7.8%, making it moderately competitive among US residencies.

Gastroenterology vs. Psychiatry

Psychiatry had a 7.8% unmatched rate, while internal medicine had a 2% unmatched rate among US seniors

To pursue a career in gastroenterology, you must first match into an internal medicine residency. Among US Seniors, the unmatched percentage for internal medicine residency was only 2%, making it less competitive than other residencies. However, this does not mean that gastroenterology is less competitive. After completing your internal medicine residency, you will still need to match into a fellowship, which is generally more competitive than matching into a residency. 

Below is the unmatched percentage among non-pediatric fellowships with >100 applicants. The unmatched percentage of US Seniors applying to the gastroenterology fellowship was 20.6%, making it highly competitive compared to most fellowships with >100 applicants.

Training Path: Fellowship vs Residency

To become a gastroenterologist, you must complete a three-year fellowship in gastroenterology after completing a three-year internal medicine residency. Psychiatry involves a four-year psychiatry residency.

A gastroenterology fellowship is typically more competitive than a psychiatry residency. Your USMLE scores, med school, and research are the main things for residency applications. Research is also a big thing for fellowship applications, and your residency program counts more, but your USMLE scores matter much less.

Gastroenterology vs. Psychiatry: Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is a crucial factor for many medical professionals. Psychiatrists often enjoy a better work-life balance due to the nature of their work. They usually have predetermined working hours, leading to more predictable schedules.

Gastroenterologists work an average of 52.3 hours per week, ranking them in the middle of all medical specialties. In comparison, psychiatrists work fewer hours with 46.6 hours, ranking near the lower end of all medical specialties.

Estimated Physician Weekly Working Hours by Medical Specialty in the US

Gastroenterologists work an average of 52.3 hours per week, while psychiatrists work fewer hours, at 46.6 per week.

Gastroenterologists require documentation, such as referral letters and diagnostic tests, resulting in an estimated 13 hours of admin/paperwork per week. In comparison, psychiatrists spend more hours with 16 hours per week, ranking them above the middle of all medical specialties.

Estimated Physician Admin/Paperwork Hours by Medical Specialty in the US

Gastroenterologists work on admin/paperwork an average of 13 hours per week, while psychiatrists work more hours, at 16 per week.

Training Duration and Subspecialties

The training duration is a key aspect to consider when choosing between gastroenterology vs. psychiatry. Psychiatry has a four-year training period, while gastroenterology has a six-year training period with three years of internal medicine residency followed by a three-year gastroenterology fellowship

Additionally, gastroenterologists often pursue more subspecialty training in fields like advanced endoscopy or hepatology because of the scarce job opportunities. This can increase the length of your gastroenterology training.

Gastroenterology vs. Psychiatry Job Satisfaction and Burnout Rates

Job satisfaction plays a significant role in career fulfilment. According to various studies, gastroenterology tends to have higher job satisfaction rates than psychiatry. Many gastroenterologists express contentment with their career choice and would choose it again if given the chance. Additionally, gastroenterology has a lower reported burnout rate than psychiatry.

According to recent data, gastroenterology ranked near the upper end of all medical specialties with 92% of gastroenterologists stating that they would choose the same specialty again, while psychiatry ranked lower with 84% of psychiatrists feeling the same way.

Job Satisfaction Rate By Medical Specialty in the US

Gastroenterologists reported a 92% job satisfaction rate, while psychiatrists reported lower satisfaction with 84%

That being said, the burnout rate for gastroenterology was 52%, which is near the middle of all medical specialties. In comparison, psychiatrists had a burnout rate of 47%, ranking near the lower end.

Burnout Rate By Medical Specialty in the US

Gastroenterologists have a burnout rate of 52%, while psychiatrists have a lower burnout rate of 47%.

Gastroenterology vs. Psychiatry Comparison

To provide a visual overview, here’s a table comparing gastroenterology and psychiatry:

AspectGastroenterologyPsychiatry
Average SalaryGenerally high salary as demand grows for procedures like colonoscopies.Lower than gastroenterology
Job SecurityHigh demand due to the prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders
High demand due to the prevalence of mental health conditions
Training PathTypically involves 3 years of internal medicine residency followed by a 3-year gastroenterology fellowship


Typically involves 4 years of psychiatry residency
LifestyleTypically regular working hours, but may also have on-call duties
Typically more regular working hours, but may also have on-call duties and emergency consultations
Administrative PaperworkModerate documentation requirements for patient records and surgical plans High documentation requirements such as notes and referrals.
Job SatisfactionHighLower
Burnout RatesModerateLow to Moderate
PersonalityStrong communication skills for patient education
Strong communication and empathy skills, ability to handle delicate and sensitive situations

Please note that this table serves as a general comparison. To determine the most suitable career for you, consider your personal and career priorities and goals.

Concluding Thoughts

Choosing the right specialty between gastroenterology vs. psychiatry depends heavily on your priorities. To determine this, try reverse engineering your ideal life and identify your top priority. A helpful exercise is to write down the top five things you want to achieve in your career and personal life. Knowing these priorities will make finding a career that aligns with them easier. Often, the biggest obstacle is not a lack of knowledge about different fields but a lack of self-awareness about our preferences.

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Want FREE Cardiology Flashcards?

Cardiology is key for impressive USMLE scores. Master cardiology from a Harvard-trained anesthesiologist who scored USMLE 270 with these 130+ high-yield flash cards. You’ll be begging for cardio questions - even if vitals make you queasy.

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