Soichi Koike1,2, Atsushi Shimizu3,4, Masatoshi Matsumoto5, Hiroo Ide6, Hidenao Atarashi7, Hideo Yasunaga8. 1. Center for Community Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan. koikes@jichi.ac.jp. 2. Department of Health Management and Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo Hospital, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan. koikes@jichi.ac.jp. 3. Center for Community Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan. 4. Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan. 5. Department of Community Based Medical System, Faculty of Medicine, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan. 6. Department of Medical Community Network and Discharge, Chiba University Hospital, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo, Chiba, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan. 7. Department of Planning, Information and Management, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan. 8. Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the career pathways of board-certified surgeons' and the factors associated with them maintaining their certification in Japan. METHODS: We analyzed data from the surveys of physicians, dentists and pharmacists. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate whether factors such as gender, year of registration, place of work, and subspecialty board certification were associated with maintaining board certification. RESULTS: Most Japanese surgeons attain board certification within 5-10 years of initial medical registration. After adjusting for possible confounding factors, the odds of maintaining board certification were significantly lower for women, those who were beyond 20 years post-registration, those who worked in hospitals other than academic hospitals or clinics, and those who had board certification in surgery only. Of the total board-certified surgeons analyzed, 93.2 % continued to work in hospitals and 2.8 % moved to clinics within 2 years. Of those who moved from hospitals to clinics, half continued to practice surgery, while nearly 40 % changed their specialty to internal medicine. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to establish a special training system for mature surgeons who move from surgery to general practice later in their careers. As the number of female surgeon increases, a support system is also required to secure the future supply of surgeons.
PURPOSE: To investigate the career pathways of board-certified surgeons' and the factors associated with them maintaining their certification in Japan. METHODS: We analyzed data from the surveys of physicians, dentists and pharmacists. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate whether factors such as gender, year of registration, place of work, and subspecialty board certification were associated with maintaining board certification. RESULTS: Most Japanese surgeons attain board certification within 5-10 years of initial medical registration. After adjusting for possible confounding factors, the odds of maintaining board certification were significantly lower for women, those who were beyond 20 years post-registration, those who worked in hospitals other than academic hospitals or clinics, and those who had board certification in surgery only. Of the total board-certified surgeons analyzed, 93.2 % continued to work in hospitals and 2.8 % moved to clinics within 2 years. Of those who moved from hospitals to clinics, half continued to practice surgery, while nearly 40 % changed their specialty to internal medicine. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to establish a special training system for mature surgeons who move from surgery to general practice later in their careers. As the number of female surgeon increases, a support system is also required to secure the future supply of surgeons.
Entities:
Keywords:
Board certification; Japan; Surgeon career pathway