Premium
The dynamics of obstetricians and gynecologists in Japan: A retrospective cohort model using the nationwide survey of physicians data
Author(s) -
Ide Hiroo,
Yasunaga Hideo,
Kodama Tomoko,
Koike Soichi,
Taketani Yuji,
Imamura Tomoaki
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2009.01039.x
Subject(s) - medicine , retrospective cohort study , family medicine , cohort , survey data collection , surgery , statistics , mathematics
Aim: A shortage of obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs) in Japan has been highlighted. We conducted a descriptive and retrospective cohort study using data from the Survey of Physicians in Japan, and analyzed the dynamics of OB/GYNs. Methods: We calculated the total numbers of OB/GYNs, their average age, the percentage of female OB/GYNs, hospital OB/GYNs, and the number of OB/GYNs in rural areas in 1974, 1984, 1994 and 2004. We determined the number of physicians who participated in and left the specialty of obstetrics and gynecology. The withdrawal rates of OB/GYNs who graduated in 1972, 1982 and 1992 were retrospectively followed using survival analysis. Results: The overall number of physicians has increased, while the number of OB/GYNs has remained almost unchanged over the past 30 years. The percentage of female OB/GYNs has increased. Fewer new graduates chose obstetrics and gynecology, the withdrawal rate of current OB/GYNs decreased, and their average age (50.8 years) increased. The trend in withdrawal rates did not differ significantly among the generations. Conclusions: The gravest problem in the OB/GYNs workforce is the continued decline in newly graduated OB/GYNs. Improvements in working conditions and job satisfaction are considered vital.