Association between physicians’ maldistribution and core clinical competency of resident physicians: a nationwide cross-sectional study
Objectives With physician maldistribution recognised as a global issue, Japan implemented the physician uneven distribution (PUD) index as a strategic measure. Currently, there is a lack of objective assessment of core clinical competencies in regions influenced by varying levels of physician distribution. In this study, we objectively assess the core clinical competencies in regions affected by physician maldistribution and explore the relationship between the PUD index and the clinical competencies of resident physicians. Design, setting and participants In this cross-sectional study, we gathered data from the January 2023 General Medicine In-Training Examination (GM-ITE) survey. Participants included postgraduate year 1 and 2 resident physicians in Japanese hospitals mandating the GM-ITE or those who voluntarily took it. The GM-ITE scores of the resident physicians were assessed. The PUD index, a Japanese policy indicator, reflects regional physician disparities. A low PUD index sig