Effects of mandatory residencies on female physicians’ specialty choices: Evidence from Japan's new medical residency program

B-Tier
Journal: Labour Economics
Year: 2024
Volume: 90
Issue: C

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Female physicians remain underrepresented in surgical specialties in Japan. The 2004 New Postgraduate Medical Education Program mandated a two-year rotating residency that allowed residents to choose their specialty after training in multiple fields, including surgery. Following this reform, there was a 2.7 percentage points increase in female physicians choosing general surgery and a 1.5 percentage points increase in urology being chosen, compared to male physicians, as well as a 3.4 percentage points decrease in internal medicine being chosen. This shift of female physicians toward male-dominated surgical specialties is primarily seen in breast surgery, catering to female patients, and in urology, known for its shorter workweeks.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:labeco:v:90:y:2024:i:c:s0927537124000617
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-26