Professional fulfillment and parenting work-life balance in female physicians in Basic Sciences and medical research: a nationwide cross-sectional survey of all 80 medical schools in Japan

Abstract

BackgroundIn Japan, the field of Basic Sciences encompasses clinical, academic, and translational research, as well as the teaching of medical sciences, with both an MD and PhD typically required. In this study, it was hypothesized that the characteristics of a Basic Sciences career path could offer the professional advancement and personal fulfillment that many female medical doctors would find advantageous. Moreover, encouraging interest in Basic Sciences could help stem shortages that Japan is experiencing in medical fields, as noted in the three principal contributing factors: premature resignation of female clinicians, an imbalance of female physicians engaged in research, and a shortage of medical doctors in the Basic Sciences. This study examines the professional and personal fulfillment expressed by Japanese female medical doctors who hold positions in Basic Sciences. Topics include career advancement, interest in medical research, and greater flexibility for parenting.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire survey was distributed at all 80 medical schools in Japan, directed to 228 female medical doctors whose academic rank was assistant professor or higher in departments of Basic Sciences in 2012. Chi-square tests and the binary logistic regression model were used to investigate the impact of parenthood on career satisfaction, academic rank, salary, etc.ResultsThe survey response rate of female physicians in Basic Sciences was 54.0%. Regardless of parental status, one in three respondents cited research interest as their rationale for entering Basic Sciences, well over twice other motivations. A majority had clinical experience, with clinical duties maintained part-time by about half of respondents and particularly parents. Only one third expressed afterthoughts about relinquishing full-time clinical practice, with physicians who were parents expressing stronger regrets. Parental status had little effect on academic rank and income within the Basic Sciences,ConclusionScientific curiosity and a desire to improve community health are hallmarks of those choosing a challenging career in medicine. Therefore, it is unsurprising that interest in research is the primary motivation for a female medical doctor to choose a career in Basic Sciences. Additionally, as with many young professionals with families, female doctors seek balance in professional and private lives. Although many expressed afterthoughts relinquishing a full-time clinical practice, mothers generally benefited from greater job flexibility, with little significant effect on career development and income as Basic Scientists.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12960-017-0241-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Exploring Attractiveness of the Basic Sciences for Female Physicians

“…Fifteen of the 18 students who went on to start their research career in the basic sciences expressed a strong curiosity for finding out something new that had never been known or discovered before (McGee and Keller 2007). The results of the present study also support the findings in our previous studies in Japan in which medical students mentioned that attempting unknown things was a major point of the basic sciences (Yamazaki et al 2013) and research interest was the primary motivation to choose a career in basic sciences for female physicians (Yamazaki et al 2017). …”

“…Therefore, in 2012, we conducted a questionnaire survey focusing on all female physicians employed as an assistant professor or higher in basic science departments at all 80 medical schools in Japan to investigate which aspects of their work led to professional advancement and personal fulfilment. The quantitative results have already been published and have revealed that although female basic science physicians with children tend to express second thoughts about relinquishing a full-time clinical practice, they generally benefited from better work flexibility, with no significant effect on career development and salary as basic scientists (Yamazaki et al 2017). Among the questions asked, one qualitative question asked respondents to write down their thoughts on what positive aspects of their work in basic sciences were different from working in clinical settings.…”

Experiences of Negotiations for Improving Research Environment and Burnout among Young Physician Researchers in Japan

“…Although the MD-PhD program has recently been introduced in Japan’s medical education program, there are very few students who have applied to this program [ 25 ]. More efforts to arouse interest in science in young medical students are definitely required [ 26 ]. In the same model, an increase in research budget was also associated with the negotiation for a reduction of clinical duty hours and an opportunity for promotion, which suggests that the higher the grant amount the physician scientist receives, the more pressure they may perceive.…”

Perceptions of Residents among Rural Communities with Medical Group Practice in Japan

“…The role of nurse practitioners in Canada was originally intended to meet the medical/healthcare needs of underserved populations residing in remote rural areas in northern parts of the country [16]. According to this concept [16], nurse practitioners in rural communities of Japan can assist with medical care on behalf of physicians, thereby helping physicians enhance their work and lifestyle [17,18]. At present, nurse practitioners have been serving in many roles in a variety of medical/healthcare settings, such as prescribing practices [19], chemotherapy [20], and memory assessment services for people with suspected dementia [21].…”