Surgeons’ pursuit of professional achievement and work-life balance in a demanding working environment: An exploratory qualitative study in Japan

Background An unattractive working environment discourages younger generations from pursuing a career in the surgery, contributing to the decline in the number of surgeons in Japan. Little is known about current surgeons’ perceptions of their working environment. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study to capture the real voices of surgeons regarding their career motivations, daily workload, and challenges in balancing family life. Methods We conducted two qualitative studies to investigate (i) the primary interests and goals of surgeons and their perceptions of their daily tasks, and (ii) the issues affecting work-family balance with 12 participants in each study, using non-probability sampling. Results Almost half of the surgeons prioritized either balancing work and family life or becoming highly skilled surgeons, and one-quarter of participants sought to pursue both aims. Half of the general surgeons accepted daily multitasking, but most preferred its extent to be limited. Over half of surgeons were frustrated about the gap in workload and suggested that salaries should reflect their actual duties. Two-thirds were concerned about night and weekend calls while raising children. Some expressed feelings of guilt about insufficient family time. Conclusions Many surgeons in Japan want to maintain both their professional achievements and a healthy work-family balance. They face barriers such as heavy workloads, multitasking, and the pressure of unpredictable calls outside working hours. Addressing these issues is essential and may help mitigate the challenges posed by an ageing surgical workforce.