Abstract
Nowadays, the serious shortage of physicians is becoming a social problem in Japan. After having checked into the human networks possessed by female physicians, we found that their networks fall roughly into three categories starting with the one generated at the place of employment, followed by alumni network and others. Most female physicians conducted information-gathering activities only within medical-related networks. Female physicians should be more open to the outside world and, while at work, should talk to people other than those in the medical office, do some research, look around and build networks with a variety of people. They should proactively participate in medical study societies/training workshops so that they will acquaint themselves with different types of persons with whom they do not have daily contacts. For those with blanks in their careers due to bearing and raising children or for other reasons, it becomes very important to create a mechanism that gives access to updated professional information and to medical-related networks. The updated professional information will make a contribution in erasing or overcoming fear related to returning to medical practice after a long blank and to acquire reliable work leads.
