Physician Scientists (PSs) play a significant role in medical science because of their clinical practice and research expertise. Although it is important to analyze the distribution and retention trends in the number of PSs in Japan, research on this topic has been insufficient. Thus, the purpose of this study is to analyze PSs distribution and retention trends, identify factors related to their retention, and consider the policy implications. I analyzed individual data from 1996 to 2016 from a national census survey that had been administered by the national government of Japan every 2 years. The number of PSs in 1996 and 2016 were 4930 (2.1% of all physicians) and 5212 (1.6%), respectively. I conducted a descriptive analysis and identified retention trends. I then used a multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify the factors related to the retention of PSs. Between 1996 and 2016, the total number of PSs in Japan increased by 6%. The number of PSs aged 39 years or younger decreased by 48%, while those aged between 55 and 69 increased by 91%, indicating a notable decrease in the number of PSs under the age of 39. From 2014 to 2016, the annual retention rate of PSs was estimated to be 75.5%, which represented a low and stable rate compared to other physicians over the study period. The odds of continuing to practice as a PS were significantly higher for those who have between 15 to 29 years of experience after qualification as a physician. This study indicates that it is likely for the total number of PSs to decrease in the future. Although the Japanese government has implemented various measures to retain PSs, these have not been effective. Possible new interventions to address this problem include increasing the knowledge of medical students and younger physicians of the role of PSs and the benefits of a career as a PS, providing specific career paths for PSs, securing specific positions for PSs, and increasing the compensation for PSs.

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在日本的医师科学家的分布和保留趋势：一项纵向研究

由于其临床实践和研究专长，内科医师（PSs）在医学领域起着重要作用。尽管分析日本PS数量的分布和保留趋势很重要，但是对此主题的研究还不够。因此，本研究的目的是分析PS的分布和保留趋势，确定与PS保留相关的因素，并考虑政策含义。我对日本国民政府每2年进行一次全国人口普查得出的1996年至2016年的个人数据进行了分析。1996年和2016年的PS数量分别为4930（占所有医生的2.1％）和5212（1.6％）。我进行了描述性分析并确定了保留趋势。然后，我使用了多变量logistic回归分析来确定与PS保留相关的因素。在1996年至2016年期间，日本的PS总数增加了6％。39岁及以下的PS的数量下降了48％，而55岁至69岁之间的PS的数量增加了91％，表明39岁以下的PS的数量显着减少。从2014年到2016年，年保留率PS的估计比率为75.5％，与研究期间的其他医生相比，该比率较低且稳定。拥有执业资格后有15至29年经验的人，继续从事PS的几率要高得多。这项研究表明，将来PS的总数可能会减少。尽管日本政府已采取各种措施保留PS，但这些措施并未奏效。解决此问题的可能新干预措施包括，增加医学生和年轻医师对PS的作用以及职业生涯作为PS的收益的了解，为PS提供具体的职业道路，确保PS的特定职位，以及增加对PS的补偿。 PS。