Background Japan is reviewing how physicians operate and plans to implement a work-style reform for physicians in 2024. This study examined how outsourcing housework cleaning tasks changed the daily lives of university hospital physicians.

Methods A total of 18 physicians participated in the study, outsourcing cleaning tasks either once or thrice.

Results Fourteen out of 18 respondents reported a decrease in the burden of household chores. Additionally, 10 respondents reported having more time for family contact, and nine respondents reported having more time for their own hobbies and diversions. Meanwhile, only five respondents reported that they had more time to work.

Conclusion Outsourcing housework cleaning tasks and using the newly created time for family and self may improve work performance.