We investigated attitudes in lifestyle planning of female medical students concerning career continuation and family life and examined how medical education should support future career decisions. We based our study on the following 3 hypotheses: 1)female medical students already experience anxiety about future pregnancy, child raising, and family life; 2)female medical students are highly conscious of these issues in deciding their future lifestyle; and 3)female medical students who already anticipate leaving their jobs in the future for family life have a strong desire to balance work and family life.
Anonymous, voluntary questionnaires concerning prospective lifestyles and career continuation were distributed to all female medical students (n=806) registered at Tokyo Women's Medical University in 2006. The response rate was 75.3%. The results were analyzed statistically.
While the majority of subjects had concerns regarding pregnancy, giving birth, and family life, they also intended to marry. In addition, 79.3% (n=363) of the subjects wished to give birth, and most gave priority to postgraduate clinical training over having children, thereby choosing to plan their pregnancy around their training. Subjects expected that they would use a child-care center (n=269, 58.7%) for child raising rather than that their partner would take parental leave (n=121, 26.4%). Subjects were divided into 2 groups: those anticipating leaving their job for family issues, and those who did not. According to the χ-square test and discriminant analysis, the former group perceived the role of wife as more positive and significant than did the latter group and had greater anxiety about balancing their family life and their work as a physician.
Medical education to help develop self-esteem and self-control in female medical students is essential, such as providing mentors and access to reproductive health education from an early stage. In addition, active support for career continuation and education to maintain a work-life balance are needed for both men and women.