Analysis of Social Policy and the Effect of Career Advancement Support Programs for Female Doctors

Background: In Japan, the number of female doctors has gradually increased; however, they form less than half of the average percentage (46.3% in 2016) among the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development member countries. In addition, some female doctors reduce their working hours for childbirth, housework, and childcare. Thus, women find it challenging to continue medical practice in Japan. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) established a time-bound grants program from 2007 to 2009 to support female doctors and improve their working environment. This study examines the program contents and the increase in female doctors in university hospitals. Materials and Methods: Using individual data from the Survey of Physicians, Dentists, and Pharmacists from 1996 to 2016, we compared two categories of female doctors, faculty and nonfaculty members, at university hospitals that received grants compared to those that did not. In addition, we reviewed the support program for female doctors and nurses developed by nine university hospitals using content from the MEXT and information from previous studies. Results: Most programs included in-hospital childcare and shorter working hours. There were fewer women in the nine hospitals receiving grants compared to other university hospitals. There were significant differences in the percentages of male and female nonfaculty members in 2000, 2004, and 2008. Conclusions: While we could not find any evidence that programs supported by the grants could increase female doctor numbers, these programs may have improved the status of female doctors with children. More intensive measures are needed to increase the number of women doctors in leadership positions.