title: Job and life satisfaction and preference of future practice locations of physicians on remote islands in Japan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this research is to investigate job and life satisfaction and preference of future practice locations of physicians in rural and remote islands in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted for physicians who reside or resided on the Oki islands: isolated islands situated in the Sea of Japan between the Eurasian continent and the mainland of Japan. A questionnaire was sent to physicians on the Oki islands to evaluate physician satisfaction regarding job environment, career development, living conditions, salary, and support by local government.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data was analysed for 49 physicians; 47 were male and 2 were female, and the mean ± SD age was 44.3 ± 10.9 years. Among the variables related to physicians' satisfaction, most of the physicians (>90%) were satisfied with "team work" and "salary". On the other hand, the majority of physicians (approximately 70%) were not satisfied with the "opportunity to continue professional development". Age ≥ 50 years, graduates of medical schools other than Jichi Medical University (established in 1972 with the aim to produce rural physicians), self-selected the Oki islands as a practice location, and satisfaction in "work as a doctor", "opportunity to consult with peers about patients", "relationship with people in the community", and "acceptance by community" were found to be significant factors influencing the choice of the Oki islands as a future practice location. Factors influencing future practice locations on the remote islands were included in a self-reported questionnaire which illustrated the importance of factors that impact both the spouses and children of physicians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improving work satisfaction, providing outreach support programmes for career development and professional support in rural practice, and building appropriate relationships between physicians and people in the community, which can in turn improve work satisfaction, may contribute to physicians' choices of practising medicine on rural and remote islands in Japan. Addressing family issues is also crucial in encouraging the choice of a rural medical practice location.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education and Research, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, 693-8501, Japan. nojima-7@sea.chukai.ne.jp.|Oki Hospital, Oki, Japan. nojima-7@sea.chukai.ne.jp.
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nojima
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education and Research, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, 693-8501, Japan. kumakura@med.shimane-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Shunichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumakura
authors.affiliation: Third Division of Internal Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan. onodak1@med.shimane-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Onoda
authors.affiliation: The Center of Health Research and Education, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan. thamano@med.shimane-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hamano
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Welfare, Shimane Prefectural Government, Matsue, Japan. kimura-kiyoshi@pref.shimane.lg.jp.
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D062312:Islands; D007564:Japan; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010820:Physicians; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce