Summary
Highlights
Despite widespread fear that AI will replace doctors, many medical careers are actually in higher demand than ever. This video will explore the top 10 most needed doctor careers, surprising many with the true state of the medical field.
Radiology, often thought to be at risk from AI, is currently experiencing a massive shortage. An aging population increases demand for imaging studies, and AI, in its current state, actually creates more work for radiologists who must interpret findings and make clinical decisions. However, AI's future efficiency could eventually reduce demand.
Anesthesiology is critically important as every surgery requires an anesthesiologist. Surgical volumes are skyrocketing due to the aging population, leading to a 14% increase in anesthesiologist pay from 2022 to 2023, and an additional 6% from 2023 to 2024. The reliance on CRNAs without direct anesthesiologist oversight is presented as a dangerous trend.
General surgery is in high demand because it is foundational to all surgical subspecialties and essential for trauma centers. However, its brutal lifestyle, long hours, emergency calls, and high malpractice premiums deter new graduates, leading to a critical shortage, especially in rural areas.
Neurology is seeing an increase in demand due to an aging population and rising rates of neurological diseases like stroke, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. Patients face months-long wait times, as the number of neurology residency spots has not kept pace with the growing need, ensuring job security for those entering the field.
Emergency medicine departments, the safety net of healthcare, are experiencing a mass exodus of doctors due to pandemic-related burnout, leading to rising vacancy rates. Rural EDs are closing, creating healthcare deserts. Despite high demand, it has become less competitive to match into due to challenging lifestyle and work conditions.
Being in demand doesn't equate to being competitive. Often, high demand arises from challenging working conditions, burnout, or lower pay, which deters students, making these specialties less competitive to match into. Resources like specialtyranking.com are recommended for accurate data on competitiveness.
America faces a maternal mortality crisis, with OB/GYNs leaving the field faster than they can be trained, particularly in rural areas. The brutal malpractice environment and policy changes around reproductive health contribute to this shortage, creating a severe need for more OB/GYN doctors.
Pediatrics saw a significant number of unfilled residency spots in 2025. Children's mental health crisis and severe shortages in pediatric subspecialties are driving demand. Low reimbursement rates compared to adult specialties make the financial burden of medical school challenging for pediatricians, especially in rural areas.
Psychiatry is in high demand due to a full-blown mental health crisis. Decreasing stigma means more people are seeking help, overwhelming the system. Child and adolescent psychiatry and addiction psychiatry face the most severe shortages, offering significant opportunities for those wanting to make a difference in mental healthcare.
Family medicine had a large number of unfilled spots in 2025. Many med students overlook it due to its less competitive nature and lower pay, despite a massive shortage of primary care physicians. An aging population with chronic conditions and rural healthcare access issues emphasize the critical need for family doctors.
Internal medicine is the most in-demand specialty, with a significant number of unfilled spots in 2025. The aging population with complex chronic conditions requires expert management from internists. The field offers incredible flexibility and is essential for hospital medicine and coordinating complex care, especially during healthcare crises.
Despite AI headlines, human doctors are desperately needed. The unfilled residency spots represent incredible job security and opportunities. These specialties require human judgment, empathy, and complex decision-making that algorithms cannot fully replicate, emphasizing the essential role of doctors in the healthcare system.