Abstract
Japan is facing an extraordinary rapid ageing rate: approximately 40% of people will be ≥65 years of age in 2060.1 The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) have highlighted the importance of primary care physicians for coping with the ageing population and reducing healthcare expenditure.2 However, a range of stakeholders such as MHLW and the Japan Medical Association (JMA) have been debating the necessity of family medicine as a medical discipline in the Japanese healthcare system. We examined the necessity of family medicine based on the existing discussion in the Japanese healthcare system and propose future research in this area. The main characteristics of the healthcare system in Japan are universal health insurance and a free-access system, whereby patients are free to choose any healthcare facility, regardless of their insurance status or severity of illness.3 All residents of Japan including foreign nationals with a residence card are required by law to be enrolled in a health insurance programme.4 The free-access system allows patients to visit a hospital directly without referral from a family physician.3 Although the Japanese healthcare system has achieved better healthcare outcomes, such as long …
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.