Trend in unequal geographical distribution of doctors by age and sex in Japan from 2004 to 2014.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: In Japan, the proportion of female doctors and elderly doctors is increasing as in other countries. We investigated the relationship between doctors' demographic changes and their geographical distribution. STUDY DESIGN: A national database study. METHODS: We assessed trends in unequal geographical distribution of the number of doctors by sex and age from 2004 to 2014 in Japan. RESULTS: The Gini coefficient values for the number of female doctors (0.18) were larger than those for male doctors across all generations (0.13-0.14). The Gini coefficient values for the number of elderly doctors aged 60 years and older (male 0.12, female 0.18-0.23) were larger than those for majority age groups aged 40-59 years (male 0.10, female 0.16-0.17). CONCLUSION: The persisting geographical maldistribution of doctors may be associated with demographic changes, such as increase in the number of female doctors.