Parental socioeconomic status and medical specialty choice: a nationwide analysis of Japanese physicians.

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested a potential link between parental socioeconomic status and medical specialty choice; however, empirical evidence from Japan remains scarce. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between parental socioeconomic status and medical specialty choice in Japan. This nationwide cross-sectional online survey was conducted in June 2022 using "Nikkei Medical Online", a professional platform for physicians. Data on medical specialty choice and parental socioeconomic status indicators (household income, occupation, and birthplace) were collected. Parental socioeconomic status was dichotomized based on an annual household income threshold of US$60 000 (approximately Japanese Yen 10 million). Association was evaluated by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Of 3580 physicians included, 48.6% were from families with a parental household income of US$60000 or more. The proportion of physicians from high-income families was the highest in neurosurgery (65.8%) and dermatology (57.0%) and the lowest in radiology (30.8%), pathology (36.2%), and psychiatry (35.7%). Using multivariable analysis, choosing certain specialties was significantly associated with having a physician father (adjusted odds ratio, 14.46; 95% confidence interval, 12.10-17.29) and being born in an urban area (adjusted odds ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.41-1.92). This is the first study to quantitatively assess the significant association between parental socioeconomic status and medical specialty choice among physicians in Japan. Parental socioeconomic status appears to be a key factor in physicians' career choices. Future research should be more comprehensive and include multifaceted components of socioeconomic status and psychosocial factors. Key messages What is already known on this topic: Previous studies, primarily from Western countries, have suggested a potential link between socioeconomic status and physicians' specialty choice; however, empirical data from Japan are largely absent. What this study adds: This nationwide study in Japan revealed a significant association between specialty choice and parental factors, including high income and having a physician parent and urban birthplace. This highlights the fact that physicians from high-socioeconomic status backgrounds are disproportionately represented in certain specialties, such as neurosurgery and dermatology. How this study might affect research, practice or policy: Understanding the association between parental socioeconomic status and specialty choice could inform policy designs aimed to promote equitable career counseling and ensure a balanced distribution of the physician workforce across specialties.