Second Career Attitudes of Otolaryngology Physicians in Japan

Abstract

　　Re-entering the workforce by veteran physicians is expected to address the shortage and maldistribution of physicians. The Working Group on the Training and Utilization of Specialists in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery plans to establish a senior doctors bank through the Society. To obtain basic information on veteran physicians' intentions regarding second careers, we conducted a survey in January 2023 of members aged 40 years or older. Responses were obtained from 598 general practitioners and 705 hospital physicians. Among the general practitioners, 26% had plans to close their clinics, and of these, 57% were willing to return to the profession if their wishes were met. In contrast, 68% of hospital physicians had no intention of opening their own clinics, 45% expected to continue to work at their current jobs until retirement, and 74% hoped to reenter the workforce after retirement. The younger hospital physicians (odds ratio: OR 0.16) and the less satisfied they were with their current job (OR 0.59), the more likely they were to want to open their own private practice. A significantly higher percentage of hospital physicians (59.6%) preferred to become members of the senior doctors bank as compared to 11.9% of general practitioners. Furthermore, about half (49.9%) of the hospital physicians wanted to continue to perform surgery or teach surgical techniques. This is expected to be a valuable workforce with expertise in regions and facilities where there is a shortage of physicians to perform surgery and teach surgical techniques. In order to support the re-entry of veteran physicians into the workforce, it is important to offer them attractive work, including surgeries and opportunities to teach surgical techniques.