Table 2.
Graduates After Completing the Obligatory Service Period.
| Year | 2011 | % (95% CI)* | 2016 | % (95% CI)* | 2021 | % (95% CI)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible graduates, n | 2,548 | 3,028 | 3,511 | |||
| Current practice in their prefecture, n† | 1,836 | 72.1 (70.3-73.8) | 2,138 | 70.6 (69.0-72.2) | 2,493 | 71.0 (69.5-72.5) |
| Practice in medically underserved areas, n† | 329 | 12.9 (11.7-14.3) | 376 | 12.4 (11.3-13.6) | 426 | 12.1 (11.1-13.3) |
| Missing data, n | 25 | 3.6 | 20 | 2.8 | 18 | 2.3 |
| Primary care-related specialties, n† | 1,635 | 64.2 (62.3-66.0) | 1,903 | 62.8 (61.1-64.6) | 2,178 | 62.0 (60.4-63.6) |
| Missing data, n | 401 | 15.7 | 496 | 16.4 | 631 | 18.0 |
CI: confidence interval.
*Percentages were calculated using eligible graduates with non-missing outcome data as denominators for each row. 95% CIs for proportions were calculated using the Wilson method.
†Current practice in the home prefecture, practice in medically underserved areas, and primary care-related specialties were assessed at the survey time point.