Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Income, and Lifestyle of Internists Across Indonesia: A National Cross-Sectional Survey
Keywords:
internal medicine, social, demographics, income, lifestyleAbstract
Background: Internal medicine specialists have always been one of the pillars that support the health of Indonesian people. Currently, there is no available survey regarding the socio-demography, lifestyle, and income of any medical specialist in Indonesia. This study aims to report this gap in knowledge amongst internists across Indonesia. Methods: This study was a nationwide cross-sectional study and was conducted via online questionnaires by The Indonesian Society of Internal Medicine Specialists (INASIM) between December 2023 and March 2024. Participants from the existing 39 INASIM branches were selected using cluster random sampling, with a target of 20% of registered internists per branch. Of 1,568 internists invited, 1,082 (69.0%) completed the questionnaire and were included. Results: A total of 1,082 internists participated in this study, mostly male (57.7%), aged 35-49 years (57.7%), non-academic staff (64.3%), practicing as general internists (76.3%) in 3 locations (70.9%). Distribution discrepancy was observed with 58.0% of general internists and 71.5% of subspecialists practicing in urban areas only. Income analyses showed significant positive correlations with age, working years, working hours, and number of practices. Male internists had higher income than their counterparts, indicating a gender-related income gap. The location of practice did not affect income significantly. Amongst internists, there were approximately 11.1% with a history of smoking, 55.9% with daily coffee consumption, 62.9% with sleep deprivation, and more time spent being sedentary. Conclusion: This study identified distribution discrepancy, a gender-related income gap, and unhealthy lifestyle patterns among Indonesian internists, which are issues that warrant targeted policy responses. Nevertheless, these findings may support future policies on equitable workforce distribution, appropriate incentive systems, and physician wellness programs in Indonesia.References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Lugyanti Sukrisman, Evy Yunihastuti, Sally Aman Nasution, Eka Ginanjar, Simon Salim, Andhika Rachman, Ceva Wicaksono Pitoyo, Rudy Hidayat, Adityo Susilo, Hayatun Nufus, Hermawan Susanto, Darmadi Darmadi, Hery Djagat Purnomo, Andi Makbul Aman, Anggoro Budi Hartopo, Selfie Selfie, Ervita Ritonga, Gede Wira Mahadita, Radiyati Umi Partan, Azzaki Abubakar, Nur Samsu, Wachid Putranto, Reinaldo Alexander, Dani Rosdiana, Cecilia Hendratta, Akmal Mufriady Hanif, Astried Indrasari, Erwanto Budi Winulyo, Lukman Pura, Djallalluddin Djallalluddin, Giri Satriya, Andi M. H. Panjaitan, Elfiani Elfiani, Budiman Gunawan, Annisa Puspitasari Nachrowi, Kurniakin W. S. Girsang, Erwin A. Pangkahila, Joko Anggoro, Dayang Nurbayati, Fahmi R. Darkuthni, Petrus Irianto, Komariatun Komariatun, Annelin Kurniati, Haeril Aswar, Nelyan H. Mokoginta, Leily D. Pawa, Edwin Ambar, Riswan Riswan, Samuel Pratama, Imam Adli, Nurul Inayah Rahmani, Amalia Zahra Afifah, Muhammad Ilham Fajar, Monika Herliana, Zahra Nuril Anwar, Mariska Andrea Siswanto

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