SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Parental Socioeconomic Status and Medical Specialty Choice: A Nationwide Analysis of Japanese Physicians

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This nationwide cross-sectional study examined whether socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with medical specialty choice among physicians in Japan. An online questionnaire was sent to physicians registered with Nikkei Business Publications from June 1 to 16, 2022. Of 7,047 respondents, 5,403 physicians with complete and valid responses were included. The median age was 48 years, and the median years since graduation were 23.<br /><br />The main outcome was whether a physician came from a “high-income household,” defined as annual household income of 10 million yen or more, roughly the top 10.4% of income distribution in Japan. The study analyzed associations between income and specialty choice, along with other social factors such as gender, age, parental occupation, birthplace, official position, children, and experience in rural healthcare. Statistical tests included chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and multiple logistic regression.<br /><br />Results showed that physicians from high-income households were more likely to choose certain specialties, especially neurosurgery and dermatology. In contrast, pathology and radiology were less strongly associated with high income. In multivariable analysis, having a physician father was the strongest positive factor associated with high-income background (aOR 5.29), followed by having a physician mother (aOR 1.51), holding an official position (aOR 1.40), and living in an urban area (aOR 1.38). Working in rural healthcare was negatively associated with high-income background (aOR 0.84).<br /><br />The authors conclude that socioeconomic background influences specialty choice in Japan, with high-income families tending to enter more specialized fields. They suggest that SES may contribute to inequities in medical education and career opportunities, and that understanding these relationships is important for improving fairness in physician training and workforce distribution.

Asset Subtitle

Kota Sakaguchi

Meta Tag

Author List Hinami Yamamoto, Kota Sakaguchi, Takashi Watari, Yukiko Ohira

Category Research

Concept Cross-Sectional Study

Concept Socioeconomic Status

Concept Medical Specialty Choice

Concept Nationwide Survey

Concept Japanese Physicians

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Shimane University Hospital. General Medicine Center.

Presenting Author Kota Sakaguchi

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

socioeconomic status

medical specialty choice

physicians in Japan

high-income household

cross-sectional study

specialty selection

neurosurgery

dermatology

physician parents

healthcare inequity

Cross-Sectional Study

Socioeconomic Status

Medical Specialty Choice

Nationwide Survey

Japanese Physicians