Questionnaire Survey on Work-life Balance in Young Japanese Surgeons : Proposals for Improving Work Environments and for Slowing the Down Curb of the Number of Surgeons

Abstract

In order to slow the down curb of the number of surgeons in Japan, we conducted a questionnaire survey to clarify the factors associated with the avoidance of surgery as a future profession for the medical students and interns. Questionnaires were sent anonymously to the young surgeons in all branches who attended annual special seminar of the Japan Surgical Association (JSA). Filled questionnaires recovered from a total of 210 young surgeons suggested that avoidance of surgery as a profession was related to work-life imbalances. The medical students and interns excluded surgery as a profession during the following period: 43% in medical school and 37% during the internship.

Ninety-five (43%) young surgeons themselves felt that there was insufficient work-life balance (WLB) in their places of work. Respondents reported that it was not easy to take maternity or paternity leave, or those for children's school ceremonies and events. Many of them reported that satisfactory changes for them in the work style reform have not been realized.

This study indicates that the poor WLB of surgeons is responsible for the avoidance of surgery as a profession. Accordingly, the establishment of a child-event holiday (CEH) system allowing them to utilize paid leave, and the promotion of work style reform, are recommended as strategies for reversing the decline in the number of young physicians and medical students who choose surgery.

As to the consideration for WLB of young surgeons, there was a discrepancy in the concept between young surgeons and the leadership (surveyed in 2016), indicating that a change in senior surgeon's perception might be a pressing need.