Capacity Limitations of Medical Services Provided by Pediatricians in Japan

Jun Kohyama

Tokyo Bay Urayasu Ichikawa Medical Center, Urayasu, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/ojped.2014.41014                

Abstract

The shortage of pediatricians has been identified as one of the largest social problems in Japan. This study aimed to compare the assumed ideal nighttime working conditions of pediatric hospitalists in Japan with the actual current situation. By using available data on the age-related numbers of pediatricians in Japan, we described the ideal working conditions for pediatric hospitalists in Japan. The ideal situation was then compared with the existing actual working conditions. Compared with the assumed ideal condition, current pediatric hospitalists are working in many hospitals with a few colleagues. To solve the current supply-demand mismatch on medical care for children during night, an involvement of non-pediatric physicians in the medical care of children during the night is indispensable. Also, parents in Japan need to know the limitations relating to the available capacity of pediatricians, and accept that their children can be cared for adequately by non-pediatric physicians, who have been trained to provide primary medical care to children.

Keywords

Pediatric Hospitalist; Night-Duty; Social Needs; Non-Pediatric Physician; Parents

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Japan Pediatric Society (2013) The Conception on Medical Services for Children in Japan. http://www.jpeds.or.jp/pdf/kyukyu.pdf
[2]	Tanaka, T. (2003) Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Working Environment of Female Doctors (in Japanese). Nihon Shounika Gakkaizasshi, 107, 1478-1485.
[3]	Kohyama, J. (2011) Neurochemical and Neuropharmacological Aspects of Circadian Disruptions: An Introduction to Asynchronization. Current Neuropharmacology, 9, 330-341. http://dx.doi.org/10. 2174/157015911795596522
[4]	Moline, M.L., Pollak, C.P., Monk, T.H., Lester, L.S., Wagner, D.R., Zendell, S.M., et al. (1992) Age-Related Differences in Recovery from Simulated Jet Lag. Sleep, 15, 28-40.
[5]	Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan (2013) Available from the No. 39 of the Following Web Address: http://www.e-stat.go.jp/SG1/estat/List.do?lid=000001084609
[6]	Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan (2013) http://www.stat.go.jp/data/jinsui/2011np/#a05k23-a
[7]	Ishida, Y., Ohde, S., Takahashi, O., Deshpande, G.A., Shimbo, T., Hinohara, S., et al. (2012) Factors Affecting Health Care Utilization for Children in Japan. Pediatrics, 129, e113-119. http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-1321
[8]	Tokushima Red Cross Hospital (2013) http://www.tokushima-med.jrc.or.jp/kakuka/a08_shoni.htm
[9]	Ishikawa Prefectural Central Hospital (2013) http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/ipch/syouninaikacurriculum syousai. html
[10]	SaiseikaiYokohamashiNanbu Hospital (2013) http://www.nanbu.saiseikai.or.jp/post/depts/pediatrics. html
[11]	Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (2013) http://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/iryosd/11/dl/1-1.pdf
[12]	Ehara, A. (2013) The Change of Number of Pediatricians in a Hospital. http://pediatrics.news.coocan.jp/my_paper/hensen1.html
[13]	Japan Pediatric Society (2013) Future Demands on Pediatric Hospitalists. http://www.mhlw.go.jp/shingi/2005/04/s0406-6a.html
[14]	Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (2013) Report on the Relief of Burden of Hospitalists. http://www.mhlw.go.jp/shingi/2009/05/dl/s0520-4b.pdf
[15]	Japan Pediatric Society (2013) The Current Status of Pediatrics in Hospitals. http://www.jpeds.or.jp/saisin/saisin_130219_1_1.pdf
[16]	Japanese Nursing Association (2013) To Relief Night-Work Burden and Long-Time Labor. http://www.nurse.or.jp/nursing/practice/shuroanzen/jikan/pdf/yakinfutan.pdf
[17]	Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (2013) The Summary on the Improvement of Working Conditions of Taxi Drivers. http://www.mhlw.go.jp/new-info/kobetu/roudou/gyousei/kantoku/dl/ 040330-12.pdf.
[18]	Japan Pediatric Society (2013) Future Demands on Pediatric Hospitalists. http://www.jpeds.or.jp/pdf /syouni_future.pdf
[19]	Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (2013) Report on the Effective Use of Medical Resources of Pediatricians and Obstetricians. http://www.mhlw.go.jp/shingi/2005/12/s1212-10g.html
[20]	A Group to Protect Pediatric Hospitalists in Hyogo Prefectural Kaibara Hospital (2013) http://mamorusyounika.com/