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Matsubara S. A clinic doctor transferring a patient as a coauthor of a case report: A preliminary study. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2024; 50:920-923. [PMID: 38439597 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
AIM Contribution to the authorship, including that for case reports, should be appropriately evaluated. I have noticed a scarcity of case reports with clinic doctors listed as coauthors, prompting this investigation. I sought to offer suggestions on the possible reasons for this trend. METHODS I checked case reports published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, the Journal of Medical Case Reports, and the BMJ Case Reports. I identified case reports listing a clinic doctor as a coauthor. I consulted eight professors at Jichi Medical University to ascertain whether case reports from their departments included clinic doctors as coauthors and, if not, the reasons. RESULTS Among 65 case reports from Japanese institutes published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, only one paper lists a clinic doctor as a coauthor. Of 100 and 50 papers published in the Journal of Medical Case Reports and BMJ Case Reports, respectively, none listed a clinic doctor as a coauthor. Six out of eight professors admitted to never considering the idea of including clinic doctors as coauthors. CONCLUSIONS The scarcity of case reports with clinic doctors as coauthors extends beyond Japanese obstetrics and gynecology, encompassing various specialties worldwide. Center doctors do not think of the idea that a clinic doctor should be a coauthor. A clinic doctor who transferred the patient should be considered as a candidate coauthor depending on his/her scientific contribution. Such an approach could foster an environment encouraging doctors to contribute to academic writing, regardless of their workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeki Matsubara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Koga Red Cross Hospital, Koga, Japan
- Medical Examination Center, Ibaraki Western Medical Center, Chikusei, Japan
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2
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Hoshi SI, Suzuki S, Sagara Y, Sekizawa A, Ishiwata I. Expansion of Mental Health Care in Japanese Obstetric Institutes. Cureus 2024; 16:e54637. [PMID: 38405651 PMCID: PMC10884786 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (JAOG) has raised awareness of the usefulness of identifying pregnant women with mental health problems and supporting them through multi-professional collaboration. We evaluated the results of questionnaire surveys on mental health care conducted in all obstetric institutes that are members of the JAOG annually. METHODS Between 2017 and 2023, we requested all obstetric institutes (n = 2,073-2,427) that are members of the JAOG to provide information concerning mental health care for pregnant and postpartum women about the situation in December every year from 2017. Here, we evaluated the results of the questionnaire surveys. RESULTS During the study periods, 56.9-74.8% of the 2,073-2,427 institutes responded with valid information. The percentage of obstetric institutes screening for mental health problems during pregnancy and the postpartum period increased from 54.3% and 53.7% to 87.1% and 83.8%, respectively (p < 0.01). However, the proportion of obstetric institutes able to manage pregnant women with mental disorders did not change significantly during the study period. CONCLUSION There has been progress in the active identification of women with mental health problems during pregnancy and the postpartum period. However, the proportion of institutes managing mental disorders has not changed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ichi Hoshi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Tokyo, JPN
| | - Shunji Suzuki
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Tokyo, JPN
| | - Yoko Sagara
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Tokyo, JPN
| | - Akihiko Sekizawa
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Tokyo, JPN
| | - Isamu Ishiwata
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Tokyo, JPN
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3
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Hoffmann J, Dresbach T, Hagenbeck C, Scholten N. Factors associated with the closure of obstetric units in German hospitals and its effects on accessibility. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:342. [PMID: 37020222 PMCID: PMC10077609 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09204-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An increase in regionalization of obstetric services is being observed worldwide. This study investigated factors associated with the closure of obstetric units in hospitals in Germany and aimed to examine the effect of obstetric unit closure on accessibility of obstetric care. METHODS Secondary data of all German hospital sites with an obstetrics department were analyzed for 2014 and 2019. Backward stepwise regression was performed to identify factors associated with obstetrics department closure. Subsequently, the driving times to a hospital site with an obstetrics department were mapped, and different scenarios resulting from further regionalization were modelled. RESULTS Of 747 hospital sites with an obstetrics department in 2014, 85 obstetrics departments closed down by 2019. The annual number of live births in a hospital site (OR = 0.995; 95% CI = 0.993-0.996), the minimal travel time between two hospital sites with an obstetrics department (OR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.915-0.985), the availability of a pediatrics department (OR = 0.357; 95% CI = 0.126-0.863), and population density (low vs. medium OR = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.09-0.648, low vs. high OR = 0.251; 95% CI = 0.077-0.822) were observed to be factors significantly associated with the closure of obstetrics departments. Areas in which driving times to the next hospital site with an obstetrics department exceeded the 30 and 40 min threshold slightly increased from 2014 to 2019. Scenarios in which only hospital sites with a pediatrics department or hospital sites with an annual birth volume of ≥ 600 were considered resulted in large areas in which the driving times would exceed the 30 and 40 min threshold. CONCLUSION Close distances between hospital sites and the absence of a pediatrics department at the hospital site associate with the closure of obstetrics departments. Despite the closures, good accessibility is maintained for most areas in Germany. Although regionalization may ensure high-quality care and efficiency, further regionalization in obstetrics will have an impact on accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Hoffmann
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute for Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science (IMVR), University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Till Dresbach
- University Hospital Bonn, Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Carsten Hagenbeck
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nadine Scholten
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Faculty of Human Sciences, Institute for Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science (IMVR), University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Cologne, Germany
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4
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Iwama N, Obara T, Ishikuro M, Murakami K, Ueno F, Noda A, Onuma T, Matsuzaki F, Hoshiai T, Saito M, Metoki H, Sugawara J, Yaegashi N, Kuriyama S. Risk scores for predicting small for gestational age infants in Japan: The TMM birthree cohort study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8921. [PMID: 35618764 PMCID: PMC9135745 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12892-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to construct a prediction model for small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants in Japan by creating a risk score during pregnancy. A total of 17,073 subjects were included in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study, a prospective cohort study. A multiple logistic regression model was used to construct risk scores during early and mid-gestational periods (11–17 and 18–21 weeks of gestation, respectively). The risk score during early gestation comprised the maternal age, height, body mass index (BMI) during early gestation, parity, assisted reproductive technology (ART) with frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET), smoking status, blood pressure (BP) during early gestation, and maternal birth weight. The risk score during mid-gestation also consisted of the maternal age, height, BMI during mid-gestation, weight gain, parity, ART with FET, smoking status, BP level during mid-gestation, maternal birth weight, and estimated fetal weight during mid-gestation. The C-statistics of the risk scores during early- and mid-gestation were 0.658 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.642–0.675) and 0.725 (95% CI: 0.710–0.740), respectively. In conclusion, the predictive ability of the risk scores during mid-gestation for SGA infants was acceptable and better than that of the risk score during early gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriyuki Iwama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Hospital, 1-1, Seiryomachi, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan. .,Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Taku Obara
- Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Mami Ishikuro
- Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Keiko Murakami
- Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Ueno
- Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Aoi Noda
- Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Tomomi Onuma
- Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Fumiko Matsuzaki
- Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Hoshiai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Hospital, 1-1, Seiryomachi, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Hospital, 1-1, Seiryomachi, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan.,Department of Maternal and Fetal Therapeutics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Hirohito Metoki
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.,Division of Public Health, Hygiene and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Junichi Sugawara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Hospital, 1-1, Seiryomachi, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan.,Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.,Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Nobuo Yaegashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Hospital, 1-1, Seiryomachi, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan.,Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.,Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Shinichi Kuriyama
- Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Molecular Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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Ota K, Nishioka D, Katayama Y, Kitamura T, Masui J, Ota K, Nitta M, Matsuoka T, Takasu A. Influence of the -19 outbreak on transportation of pregnant women in an emergency medical service system: Population-based, ORION registry. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2022; 157:366-374. [PMID: 35122253 PMCID: PMC9087768 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, has spread rapidly across the world. Objective To assess the influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the emergency medical service (EMS) for transportation of pregnant women by ambulance. Methods This study was a retrospective, descriptive study using the Osaka Emergency Information Research Intelligent Operation Network system, and included pregnant women transported by ambulance in Osaka Prefecture between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020. The main outcome of the study was difficulty in obtaining hospital acceptance for transfer of patients (difficult‐to‐transfer cases). We calculated the rates of difficult‐to‐transfer cases using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Of the 1 346 457 total patients transported to hospitals by ambulance in Osaka Prefecture during the study period, pregnant women accounted for 2586 (909, 943, and 734, in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed that pregnant women were negatively associated with difficult‐to‐transfer cases (adjusted OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.26–0.50). Compared with 2018, 2020 was significantly associated with difficult‐to‐transfer cases (adjusted OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.24–1.30). Conclusion Pregnant women were consistently associated with reduced odds for being difficult‐to‐transfer cases. The COVID‐19 pandemic might have influenced difficult‐to‐transfer cases in 2020. This study showed that pregnancy was consistently associated with reduced odds for difficult‐to‐transfer cases in 2020 even during the COVID‐19 outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koshi Ota
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University.,The Working Group to analyze the emergency medical care system in Osaka Prefecture
| | - Daisuke Nishioka
- Research and Development Center, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University
| | - Yusuke Katayama
- The Working Group to analyze the emergency medical care system in Osaka Prefecture
| | - Tetsuhisa Kitamura
- The Working Group to analyze the emergency medical care system in Osaka Prefecture
| | | | - Kanna Ota
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University
| | - Masahiko Nitta
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University.,The Working Group to analyze the emergency medical care system in Osaka Prefecture
| | - Tetsuya Matsuoka
- The Working Group to analyze the emergency medical care system in Osaka Prefecture
| | - Akira Takasu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University
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6
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Matsumoto K, Seto K, Hayata E, Fujita S, Hatakeyama Y, Onishi R, Hasegawa T. The geographical maldistribution of obstetricians and gynecologists in Japan. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245385. [PMID: 33434232 PMCID: PMC7802964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Japan, there is a large geographical maldistribution of obstetricians/gynecologists, with a high proportion of females. This study seeks to clarify how the increase in the proportion of female physicians affects the geographical maldistribution of obstetrics/gynecologists. Methods Governmental data of the Survey of Physicians, Dentists and Pharmacists between 1996 and 2016 were used. The Gini coefficient was used to measure the geographical maldistribution. We divided obstetricians/gynecologists into four groups based on age and gender: males under 40 years, females under 40 years, males aged 40 years and above, and females aged 40 years and above, and the time trend of the maldistribution and contribution of each group was evaluated. Results The maldistribution of obstetricians/gynecologists was found to be worse during the study period, with the Gini coefficient exceeding 0.400 in 2016. The contribution ratios of female physicians to the deterioration of geographical maldistribution have been increasing for those under 40 years and those aged 40 years and above. However, there was a continuous decrease in the Gini coefficient of the two groups. Conclusions The increase in the contribution ratio of the female physician groups to the Gini coefficient in obstetrics/gynecology may be due to the increased weight of these groups. The Gini coefficients of the female groups were also found to be on a decline. Although this may be because the working environment for female physicians improved or more female physicians established their practice in previously underserved areas, such a notion needs to be investigated in a follow-up study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunichika Matsumoto
- Department of Social Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kanako Seto
- Department of Social Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eijiro Hayata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toho University Omori Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeru Fujita
- Department of Social Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yosuke Hatakeyama
- Department of Social Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryo Onishi
- Department of Social Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomonori Hasegawa
- Department of Social Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Kobayashi H, Sado T. Satisfaction of a new telephone consultation service for prenatal and postnatal health care. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2019; 45:1376-1381. [DOI: 10.1111/jog.13987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kobayashi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyNara Medical University Nara Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Sado
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyNara Medical University Nara Japan
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Ishimaru M, Ono S, Morita K, Matsui H, Yasunaga H. Domiciliary dental care among homebound older adults: A nested case-control study in Japan. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19:679-683. [PMID: 31037823 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.13676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM Improving the availability of dental care is essential to maintain older adults' general health and wellbeing. Domiciliary dental care is a feasible alternative. The present study aimed to investigate factors affecting the use of domiciliary dental care among home-dwelling dependent older adults. METHODS A retrospective nested case-control study was carried out. We identified long-term care recipients who used home care services between April 2012 and March 2014 using Japan's nationwide long-term care service claim database. One-to-one case-control matching was carried out between those with and without domiciliary dental care, based on sex, age and the time home care service use was started. We carried out multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses to assess various factors associated with using domiciliary dental care. RESULTS We identified 3 377 998 eligible homebound long-term care beneficiaries aged ≥65 years. Of these, 278 302 (8.2%) received domiciliary dental care. Factors associated with a higher probability of receiving domiciliary dental care were: higher level of care need (odds ratio [OR] 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.93-2.06), exemption from out-of-pocket payment (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.32-1.39]), living in a group home (OR 7.93, 95% CI 7.71-8.16), using other domiciliary services such as physician visits (OR 3.15, 95% CI 3.08-3.22) and a large number of dental clinics providing domiciliary dental care in their municipality (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.70-1.77). Significant barriers to receiving domiciliary dental care were living alone (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.62-0.66) and dementia (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.88-0.91). CONCLUSIONS Our findings might help to improve the availability of dental care in this population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 679-683.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miho Ishimaru
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sachiko Ono
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kojiro Morita
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Matsui
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideo Yasunaga
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Shibata A, Kaneko M, Inoue M. Challenges in providing maternity care in remote areas and islands for primary care physicians in Japan: a qualitative study. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2018; 19:114. [PMID: 30021510 PMCID: PMC6052635 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-018-0806-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Background Maintaining a maternity care system is one of the biggest issues in Japan due to the decreasing number of obstetricians, especially in remote areas and islands. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the challenges in women’s health and maternity care in remote areas and islands for primary care physicians and obstetricians in order to provide an insight necessary to develop a better health care system. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 primary care physicians and 4 obstetricians practicing maternity care at clinics/hospitals in remote areas and islands across Japan. Interview data were analyzed, using the modified Grounded Theory Approach, to elucidate the challenges primary care physicians faced in their practice. Results Primary care physicians who engaged in maternity care recognized the following challenges: low awareness of primary care, lack of training opportunities, unclear goal of the training, lack of certification system, lack of consultation system, and lack of obstetricians to offer support. These six challenges along with the specialty’s factors such as sudden changes of patients’ condition were considered to result to the provider’s hesitation and anxiety to engage in the practice. Conclusions This study found six environmental/systemic factors and three specialty’s factors as the main challenges for primary care physicians in providing maternity care in remote areas and islands for primary care physicians in Japan. Increasing the awareness of primary care and developing a maternity care training program to certify primary care physicians may enable more primary care physicians to engage in and provide women’s health and maternity care in remote areas and islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Shibata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yodogawa Christian Hospital, 1-7-50, Kunijima, Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka, 533-0024, Japan.
| | - Makoto Kaneko
- Musashikoganei Clinic, Japanese Health and Welfare Co-operative Federation, 1-15-9, Honcho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo, 184-0004, Japan.,Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8, Nishishimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan.,Department of Family and Community Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1, Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Machiko Inoue
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1, Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
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10
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The effect of concentrating obstetrics services in fewer hospitals on patient access: a simulation. Int J Health Geogr 2016; 15:4. [PMID: 26800889 PMCID: PMC4724143 DOI: 10.1186/s12942-016-0035-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Japan, the number of obstetrics facilities has steadily decreased and the selection and concentration of obstetrics facilities is progressing rapidly. Obstetrics services should be concentrated in fewer hospitals to improve quality of care and reduce the workload of obstetricians. However, the impact of this intensification of services on access to obstetrics hospitals is not known. We undertook a simulation to examine how the intensification of obstetrics services would affect access to hospitals based on a variety of scenarios, and the implications for health policy. Methods The female population aged between 15 and 49 living within a 30-min drive of an obstetrics hospital was calculated using a Geographic Information System for three possible intensification scenarios: Scenario 1 retained facilities with a higher volume of deliveries without considering the geographic boundaries of Medical Service Areas (MSAs, zones of healthcare administration and management); Scenario 2 prioritized retaining at least one hospital in each MSA and then retained higher delivery volume institutions, while Scenario 3 retained facilities to maximize population coverage using location-allocation modeling. We also assessed the impact of concentrating services in academic hospitals and specialist perinatal medical centers (PMCs) alone. Results In 2011, 95.0 % of women aged 15–49 years lived within a 30-min drive of one of 1075 obstetrics hospitals. This would fall to 82.7 % if obstetrics services were intensified into academic hospitals and general and regional PMCs. If 55.0 % of institutions provided obstetrics services, the coverage would be 87.6 % in Scenario 1, whereas intensification based on access would achieve over 90.5 % coverage in Scenario 2 and 93.9 % in Scenario 3. Conclusions Intensification of obstetrics facilities impairs access, but a greater caseload and better staffing have the potential advantages of better clinical outcomes and reduced costs. It is essential to consult residents of hospital catchment areas when reorganizing clinical services; a simulation is a useful means of informing these important discussions.
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11
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Matsumoto M, Koike S, Kashima S, Awai K. Geographic Distribution of CT, MRI and PET Devices in Japan: A Longitudinal Analysis Based on National Census Data. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126036. [PMID: 25946125 PMCID: PMC4422695 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Japan has the most CT and MRI scanners per unit population in the world; however, the geographic distribution of these technologies is currently unknown. Moreover, nothing is known of the cause-effect relationship between the number of diagnostic imaging devices and their geographic distribution. Methods Data on the number of CT, MRI and PET devices and that of their utilizations in all 1829 municipalities of Japan was generated, based on the Static Survey of Medical Institutions conducted by the government. The inter-municipality equity of the number of devices or utilizations was evaluated with Gini coefficient. Results Between 2005 and 2011, the number of CT, MRI and PET devices in Japan increased by 47% (8789 to 12945), 19% (5034 to 5990) and 70% (274 to 466), respectively. Gini coefficient of the number of devices was largest for PET and smallest for CT (p for PET-MRI difference <0.001; MRI-CT difference <0.001). For all three modalities, Gini coefficient steadily decreased (p for 2011-2005 difference: <0.001 for CT; 0.003 for MRI; and <0.001 for PET). The number of devices in old models (single-detector CT, MRI<1.5 tesla, and conventional PET) decreased, while that in new models (multi-detector CT, MRI≥1.5 tesla, and PET-CT) increased. Gini coefficient of the old models increased or remained unchanged (increase rate of 9%, 3%, and -1%; p for 2011-2008 difference <0.001, 0.072, and 0.562, respectively), while Gini coefficient of the new models decreased (-10%, -9%, and -10%; p for 2011-2008 difference <0.001, <0.001, and <0.001 respectively). Similar results were observed in terms of utilizations. Conclusions The more abundant a modality, the more equal the modality’s distribution. Any increase in the modality made its distribution more equal. The geographic distribution of the diagnostic imaging technology in Japan appears to be affected by spatial competition derived from a market force.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Matsumoto
- Department of Community-Based Medical System, Faculty of Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Soichi Koike
- Division of Health Policy and Management, Center for Community Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Saori Kashima
- Department of Public Health and Health Policy, Institute of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kazuo Awai
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Institute of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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